"In France, the situation linked to the epidemic has deteriorated over the past few days". It is with a serious tone that the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, began his press point at the Montpellier University Hospital this Tuesday afternoon.
While 2,000 new cases of coronavirus are detected per day, against "a thousand three weeks ago", Jean Castex took the opportunity to announce several new measures aimed at stemming the circulation of Covid-19 in France.
1. The extension of the obligation to wear a mask in public spaces
One of the flagship announcements: the Prime Minister will "ask the prefects to extend as much as possible the obligation to wear a mask in open public places".
So this measure has already been in force in 330 municipalities, Jean Castex announced that it was necessary "to go beyond, and such is the instruction issued to the prefects".
2. The ban on events of more than 5000 people until October 30
Then, the Prime Minister announced the extension, until October 30, of the ban on events of more than 5,000 people, which was originally scheduled to expire in September. The prefects will have the "possibility of derogating from it with the verification of the strict respect of the sanitary instructions", he added while recalling that "one cannot expect everything from the public authorities, each one exercises a share of responsibility".
3. The intensification of actions in the largest metropolises
In the twenty or so largest national metropolises, the government will "put in place action plans to prepare a response to each scenario adapted to local realities", according to Jean Castex.
4. Screening in tourist areas and improving access to tests
The screening for Covid-19 will be continued in the most tourist areas, he announced.
“With 600,000 tests carried out per week, our country's performance in this area is more than satisfactory. But we still need to improve access to testing, especially for people with symptoms and for populations at risk. "
Communication and educational actions, "particularly aimed at young people", will be stepped up. And "special attention" will be paid to the most vulnerable (disabled, elderly, isolated and precarious people) and to certain areas further away from the health system.
5. Intensification of control actions
“There is no point in taking action if it is not followed. We are therefore going to step up the control measures. […] Each prefect will have to establish a plan in his department, ”he announced.
Newsletter - Most of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le ParisienI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to enable you to receive our news and commercial offers. Learn more
The head of government will then go to the seaside resort of La Grande-Motte where vacationers, like everywhere else in France, are called upon not to forget the barrier gestures despite the heat.
