Since April 30, the map of France colored in green, orange and red has focused all attention. Since Thursday, it is now divided into two categories: the red departments and the green departments. "This is not a punishment, but an inventory of the health situation," warns Olivier Véran, Minister of Health.
Four regions and an overseas department are thus highlighted in red: Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Grand Est and Mayotte. The rest of the French territory sees green. This color chart determines the modalities of the deconfinement confirmed this Thursday by Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, then by Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister.
In his speech of the day, the Prime Minister revealed the concrete changes between the departments according to their color. And they confirm the minimal differences announced: continued closure of parks and gardens, as well as colleges in the red departments. And this, at least for the next three weeks, namely until June 2.
Île-de-France, a special case
Édouard Philippe however mentioned two specific territories: Mayotte and Île-de-France. For the inhabitants of the overseas department, the deconfinement is postponed to a date later than May 11, not communicated for the moment.
As for the country's largest region, with its approximately 12 million inhabitants, "we will have to be particularly vigilant," asked the Prime Minister. "The fact that the virus remains in active circulation, that this region is dense and populated [...] imposes on us a reinforced discipline", adds the head of government.
Édouard Philippe addresses in particular the “vulnerable people” and asks them, in this region, to “continue to observe very strict rules of prudence, similar to those of the last two months”. Finally, the Prime Minister announced "very strict rules" in public transport in Ile-de-France, not excluding "additional measures if the situation does not improve".
Today there is good news and less good news. We are able to validate deconfinement throughout the metropolitan territory. But some departments have worse results than expected. pic.twitter.com/09ztnqToIt
- Edouard Philippe (@EPhilippePM) May 7, 2020