“We must learn to live with the virus”. These were the words of French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe as he announced the country’s plan for lifting its lockdown. France has been on a strict lockdown since March 17. More than 23,600 people have died from COVID-19 in the country, at the time of writing. Here’s are the broad lines of the French lockdown exit plan:
Lockdown saved 62,000 people
“Never in the history of our country have we known such a situation, not during the wars, nor during the occupation,” Philippe said. He added, citing a study, that confinement measures had saved 62,000 lives a month but stressed that the risk of a second wave is “serious”. He urged French people to not relax their efforts and to continue to adhere to strict social distancing rules, warning that if indicators, including the number of cases and hospitalizations, are not down to where they ought to be by May 11, the government may postpone easing restrictions. The Prime Minister also stressed that taking too long to lift restrictions could have “deleterious effects”, especially on the economy.
Easing of restrictions won’t be uniform
Philippe said that as “the circulation of the virus is not uniform”, the lifting of restrictions won’t be either. As such, the areas most impacted by the pandemic — such as the east of the country and the wider Paris region — may have to contend with restrictions that other parts of the country may be able to lift. The first phase of “de-confinement” will last three weeks and run until June 2, at which point the government will announce further measures depending on how the pandemic is evolving.
Testing and face masks
According to the Prime Minister, the country will have enough face masks when restrictions start to be lifted on May 11. He said that the country is currently receiving 100 million surgical masks a week and that an additional 20 million washable masks will be delivered before May 11. The general public will be able to buy them in pharmacies and supermarkets as well as on a newly-created online platform managed by the postal service. He also announced that testing capacity will be ramped up to 700,000 a week from May 11.
What happens for businesses?
Most businesses are allowed to reopen from May 11 but cafés, bars and restaurants are to remain shut for longer. Markets and shopping centres can also resume work but local authorities have the power to rule out reopening if they deem it necessary. The Prime Minister also called for employees to continue working remotely if possible. Companies who cannot operate by teleworking have been urged to set up shifts so that workers are not all together at the same time.
Source: Euronews
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