The gradual reopening of social activities announced by the government "
must be conducted in a prudent and controlled manner
" if we want to avoid a "
possible fourth wave
" of the Covid-19 epidemic, warns the Scientific Council on Friday April 7.
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The body which advises the executive in the management of the health crisis recommends in particular to wait for "
a level of vaccination of 35 million first-time vaccinated people
", which should be reached at the end of June, and a real drop in tension. weighing on the hospital system before largely lifting the epidemic control measures. Titled "
Spring 2021: for a cautious and controlled reopening with health objectives
", this notice was sent to the government Thursday evening and posted online this Friday. The council "
seized upon itself
" to write this opinion, unlike others, which responded to a request from the executive, according to a source close to the council.
The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron announced at the end of April a timetable for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures, in four stages, extending from the beginning of May to the end of June. The next step, May 19, includes the reopening of all shops, cafes and restaurants terraces, cinemas and theaters, and the reduction of the curfew to 9 p.m. "
The reopening
" of economic and social activities "
appears desirable and even necessary
" because it "
meets high expectations and gives a perspective to the whole of society, a perspective whose psychological, social and economic benefits are undoubtedly major.
», Underlines the Scientific Council.
Risk of "mismatch" between the opening conditions and the vaccination level
But the body chaired by Jean-François Delfraissy wonders about "
the temporality of the process
" and considers that it must "
imperatively
" be accompanied by "
health indicators
", while the number of contaminations and hospitalized people is decreasing but remains at a high level. If "
during the reopening
", the viral circulation stabilizes at "
an incidence of less than 100
" cases per 100,000 inhabitants per week "
or 10,000 new cases per day
" (against about 20,000 currently), "
the coming months will be a lot. easier to manage
”. Otherwise, they "
will be very uncertain
», Insists the opinion.
"
A hasty exit
" from the braking measures could induce "
the occurrence during the summer of 2021 of a possible fourth wave
", he warns.
Read also: The Scientific Council in favor of a health pass "temporarily and exceptionally"
The council is particularly worried about the "
gap between the conditions of opening envisaged and the level of vaccination of the population which will be reached
" and foresees a "
difficult period between the beginning of May and the end of June, while the speed race will continue. between variants and vaccination
”.
