"The first measures are imperfectly applied". This Saturday evening, faced with the “acceleration of the spread” of the coronavirus, Edouard Philippe announced new, even more drastic measures.
Since the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister has denounced a certain "indiscipline" despite the intervention of Emmanuel Macron Thursday evening. "Social distancing is a concept that puts us off French," he noted. "There are too many people in cafes, in restaurants," he explained, "for a few weeks that is not what we have to do." "The French are not disciplined enough".
"We must strengthen the measures that affect our social life," continued the Prime Minister, announcing "the closure of all places receiving non-essential public" from this Saturday evening at midnight. Bars, restaurants, cinemas are concerned.
The only exceptions: "essential shops (pharmacies, service stations, etc.) and all essential public services". France is therefore approaching the measures taken in Italy.
Elections will take place "as planned"
Edouard Philippe insisted that employees put themselves into telework as much as possible. "Urban transport will continue to operate", but the Prime Minister calls on the French to reduce their travel "and in particular to avoid inter-urban travel".
He also asked to avoid gatherings, including family gatherings. However, he assured that Sunday's elections will take place "as planned".
"Our objective is to protect you, I have confidence in the ability of the French to understand the gravity of the moment and to adopt civic and united behavior which will allow us to overcome this crisis," added the Prime Minister.
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More than 830 new cases of patients infected with the new coronavirus have been detected in France, bringing the total number of cases to 4,500 since the start of the epidemic, which has so far killed 91 people in the country, announced in the following the intervention of the Prime Minister the Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon.
There are 12 more deaths compared to the previous day, and "more than 300 serious cases" are in intensive care, he continued.