This is not quite what had been envisaged.
Due to the contamination plateau observed in recent days, at a level more than twice the target of 5,000 cases per day set by Emmanuel Macron, the deconfinement supposed to start on December 15 will not take place at the pace planned.
As often since the start of this second wave of Covid-19, it was Jean Castex who took care of the announcements during a press conference.
"It is our duty to adapt the measures that we had planned for December 15," hammered the Prime Minister this Thursday late afternoon, with Olivier Véran at his side.
December 15
It was on this date that confinement was to end and be replaced by a curfew from 9 p.m. (except December 24 and December 31).
Finally, it will begin at 8 p.m. throughout the country, and until 6 a.m. the next day.
"We will take a new step but the rules will be stricter than what we had envisaged," said Jean Castex.
During the day, the travel certificate will no longer be necessary.
In the evening, several reasons for exemption are provided: professional reason, health reason, compelling family reason, if you have a disability, general interest mission, or even to walk your pet.
On the other hand, and unlike the first curfew at the end of October, “sports or outdoor walks” will not be authorized from 8 pm, announced Gérald Darmanin.
In addition, cinemas, museums and theaters will ultimately not be able to reopen on this date.
They will have to close "three more weeks" and the possible reopening date is postponed to January 7.
This decision, which the majority had suggested since the beginning of the week, may sound like a thunderclap for a sector already largely affected by the crisis.
The sanitary protocol in places of worship in force since the beginning of November, providing for leaving a row and two empty places between the faithful, will not be reviewed on December 15 either.
Christmas
For the Christmas holidays, which are traditionally a time of reunion and very precious family exchanges, nothing changes.
It will always be possible to travel anywhere in France and go and find your loved ones.
The curfew will not be in effect on the evening of December 24.
However, the government recommends more than ever that a maximum of six adults be met.
New Year
Olivier Véran had described it as the time for “fiestas”.
“Christmas is not the New Year.
The New Year does not have the same cultural significance in our country, it remains a festive moment, ”said the Minister of Health on Tuesday evening on LCI.
“This New Year's Eve is a festive moment”, also recalled this Thursday Jean Castex, indicating that the curfew will finally be in force on December 31.
No question of going out to wake up with friends from 10 am, at the risk of having to pay a fine of 135 euros.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin indicated that the checks by the police will be done with "tact and moderation" but there will be "no instructions for indulgence".
In theory, however, it will still be possible to feast with the members of your household that evening or to invite a few people to your home before 8 p.m.
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January 20
It was on this date that restaurants and sports halls were to reopen and that classes had to resume 100% face-to-face in high school.
For universities, the start of the school year was to take place gradually from the beginning of January, even if no date had been formalized.
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In view of the upheaval announced in December, many wondered if this deadline of January 20 would also be postponed.
Jean Castex did not specify it, but he simply suggested that the whole calendar could be shifted.
Everything will depend on the evolution of the health situation.