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French National Assembly in Paris (archive image)
Photo: Vincent Isore / imago images / IP3press
The French parliament voted to extend the health emergency to February 16.
The AFP reports.
71 MPs therefore voted in the first reading for the controversial government bill, 35 MPs rejected it.
The project is to be discussed in the Senate on Wednesday, and the final vote is planned for early November.
The health emergency gives the government the opportunity to quickly implement measures such as curfews or seizures in the fight against the virus.
It can also decide on quick measures to support the economy in the crisis.
It was first proclaimed at the end of March.
It was initially lifted in July, but in mid-October the government put it into force again by decree in view of the massively increasing corona numbers.
However, Parliament's approval is required for a further extension.
New infections continue to rise - most recently by 3000 cases per day
The extension of the emergency is necessary in order to "effectively" fight the second wave of corona infections, said Health Minister Olivier Véran.
Meanwhile, the opposition warned against curtailing civil liberties.
In France, 45,422 new infections with the corona virus were last registered within one day.
It is another increase of over 3000 new infections compared to the previous day and the highest value reported in the country to date.
Compared to the first wave of the pandemic, however, significantly more tests are now being carried out.
On the other hand, France is one of the countries with the most coronavirus-related deaths in Europe.
On Saturday, authorities reported 138 new deaths, bringing the total to 34,645.
Almost 2500 infected people are therefore in the intensive care unit.
Since Saturday, the government has been trying to contain the corona pandemic with a night curfew for 46 million French.
According to Prime Minister Jean Castex, the regulation applies in 54 departments and the French overseas territory of French Polynesia.
"The situation is serious, it is serious in Europe, it is serious in France," he said.
Almost 67 million people live in France.
A night curfew has already applied in the greater Paris area and eight other metropolises.
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