France is once again under cover, seven months after the establishment of a first national lockdown which had put the country on hold for 55 days.
This second confinement, announced on October 28 by Emmanuel Macron, should make it possible to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic which continues to spread on the territory.
Lasting at least one month (until December 1), possibly renewable, it is less strict than that of March but still raises many questions.
Le Parisien responds to the many concrete questions you ask yourself.
Alert level
Why does this confinement apply everywhere in metropolitan France?
Faced with the very strong rebound of the epidemic, the government acknowledged the failure of the territorialized strategy put in place at the beginning of the summer, consisting in taking different measures according to the health situation in the departments.
Even if the west facade remains relatively untouched, all regions are now affected by this second wave.
Are some territories exempt from confinement?
Yes, “the only overseas departments and territories” will be able to benefit from “adaptations”.
This is explained by the fact that the epidemic is now much smaller there.
It is even in Guyana, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Guadeloupe that the incidence rate is lowest, less than 100 (number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a week).
Travel
Can I come back from vacation this weekend?
Yes, there will be a tolerance this weekend just for vacation returns, even though lockdown begins across the country at midnight Thursday night through Friday.
The start of the school year remains fixed for Monday November 2
I had a planned return home from Monday, can I continue?
In exceptional circumstances, if you are not at your home and it is practically impossible for you to reach it this weekend, you will be well authorized to return home the following days.
Will we be able to go on vacation at Christmas?
For the moment, nothing indicates that we will not be able to enjoy the end of the year holidays with the family, while respecting barrier gestures.
This confinement will last four weeks, i.e. until December 1, announced Emmanuel Macron.
However, the measure could be extended if the health situation requires it.
This is what happened, on two occasions, during confinement in the spring, which lasted 55 days.
The president of the scientific council, Jean-François Delfraissy, has already warned that the end-of-year celebrations will have to take place "in small groups" and under "curfew".
READ ALSO>
Go from 40,000 cases to 5,000 new cases per day, yes, but in how long?
Is there a maximum travel distance?
As during the first confinement, the derogatory exit certificate provides for the possibility of practicing a physical activity, or of taking out his pet, within a radius of 1 km around his home.
For the other necessary outings - shopping, going to the doctor, to work, looking for a child, helping a vulnerable person - the distance of 1 km does not apply.
But they also require a certificate.
Newsletter - Most of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le Parisien
I'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to enable you to receive our news and commercial offers.
Learn more
Can I go outside for fresh air after 9 p.m. if my department was already under curfew?
Yes, because confinement replaces the curfew in the 54 departments where it had been in force since last Saturday.
Outings for fresh air (jogging or walking near home, for example), prohibited under the curfew, are therefore now authorized.
On condition of not crossing the radius of one kilometer from home, of not exceeding the duration of one hour and of being provided with the correctly completed certificate.
Can I return to France by plane?
Yes, "the French living abroad will remain free to regain the territory", indicated Emmanuel Macron.
The head of state has guaranteed that "mandatory rapid tests" will be deployed for all arrivals.
The goal is to ensure that no infected person arrives on French soil.
Exit derogations
What are the reasons for leaving?
"It's the return of the certificate," announced Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening.
As during the first confinement, you can leave your home to work, go to a medical appointment, assist a loved one, do your essential shopping, pick up or deliver an order or take the air near your home. », Detailed the President of the Republic.
This time, it will also be possible to go out to accompany or pick up a child from nursery or school and to visit a loved one in nursing home.
Can I continue to go to medical appointments?
Yes, that is indeed one of the overriding grounds.
You will have to tick the corresponding box on the certificate.
Will a couple be able to visit elderly and dependent parents to take care of them?
As during the first confinement, assistance to the elderly or dependent is one of the reasons justifying a trip beyond the one kilometer limit.
However, these visits should not be made with the family and it is advisable to limit contact.
Before any trip, the visitor must remember to complete his certificate and tick the box "travel for the assistance of a vulnerable person".
It is also still possible to use personal assistants, the latter having to be provided with a certificate from their employer.
Can I return after Sunday to my main residence, where my spouse lives?
With the All Saints' Day holidays, the government has decided to grant tolerance this weekend to allow the French to return from vacation and return to their place of confinement.
During his press conference, Jean Castex invited the French in this situation to write a sworn statement specifying the place of vacation and residence.
Outside this framework, the French are required to respect confinement and are not supposed to move to change their place of residence.
Will I still be able to jog?
As in spring, you can practice a sporting activity outdoors, within a radius of 1 km around your home and within the limit of one hour per day.
Will the parks and gardens remain accessible?
Closed last March, the parks and gardens will remain open.
The government is thus saving itself from a new debate when the closure was contested last March.
French people with a park or a public garden within a radius of less than a kilometer from their home will therefore be able to take advantage of it during their outings.
Prime Minister Jean Castex clarified that forests and beaches will remain open.
Are public services still open?
Yes, the counters of public services (post offices, prefectures, etc.) will remain open this time, announced Emmanuel Macron.
What about the courts?
Numerous hearings were postponed last March.
This time, the courts will remain open.
Simply, measures could be put in place to limit the risk of transmission of the virus.
Entrances to courthouses may be restricted.
Will I be able to meditate in the cemetery for All Saints?
"As for the cemeteries, in this period marked by All Saints' Day they will remain open, and I want us to be able to continue to bury our loved ones with dignity," Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday evening.
With this in mind, government spokesman Gabriel Attal added that florists will exceptionally be able to stay open this weekend, so that the French can buy their flowers.
Personal life
Can I move?
As with the first confinement, it will be quite possible to move despite the health restrictions.
The supporting documents may in particular be a deed of sale or a new lease.
In addition, it will remain possible to sign a sale, the notaries setting up dematerialized procedures (as was done in the spring), and failing this, it will be possible to sign on the spot.
Can I go to the notary?
No, this is not part of the derogatory reasons for traveling.
Last spring, a decree had allowed notaries to "draw up a notarial act on electronic media when one or all of the parties or any other person contributing to the act are neither present nor represented".
That might still be the case this time around, but it has not been confirmed.
Can we do work at home?
As from March 17 to May 11, travel to another place of residence to do work will however not be authorized, except in an emergency.
Are weddings allowed?
Yes… But under strict conditions.
"Places of worship will remain open but religious ceremonies will be prohibited, except for burials up to a limit of 30 people and for weddings up to a limit of six people," said Jean Castex on Thursday.
Job
Do I have to telecommute?
"Teleworking will be generalized wherever possible," Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday evening.
By declaring a state of health emergency, the government is indirectly forcing companies to generalize teleworking.
Jean Castex called on companies this Thursday morning to enforce telework "five days out of five".
In some companies, arrangements may be made to allow employees for whom working from home is complicated to go to the office.
Can I refuse to go physically to the office?
If the employer were to force an employee to come to work when face-to-face attendance does not seem to be essential, the latter can always let him know that instructions have been issued and that the safety obligation must apply.
The company's liability is criminally liable if the employer has the possibility of teleworking his employees, if he does not do so and an employee contracts the Covid.
In this case, his employee will argue for recommendations from the government and may go to court.
Shops
Which businesses have remained open?
Will still be able to accommodate customers, in particular, food stores, pharmacies, opticians, tobacco shops, newsagents or gas stations.
On the other hand, bookstores and record stores will have to remain closed but they too will be able to organize "click and collect", that is to say withdrawals of orders placed online.
The complete list of open businesses can be found in our article.
"Shops which were defined in the spring as non-essential, establishments open to the public, especially bars and restaurants, will be closed," said the Head of State, specifying that the situation will be reassessed in 15 days.
Here again, restaurants will also be able to maintain a take-out activity.
Will driving schools remain open?
No, as during the first confinement last spring, the driving schools will have to remain closed.
Will we be able to have meals delivered?
The French will still be able to use meal delivery services.
Last March, restaurants were already allowed to open for take-out only.
Will the markets remain open?
The government has decided to keep the markets open during this new lockdown.
Last March, the subject was debated, after images of crowded markets in Paris were broadcast.
On March 23, the government finally banned the opening of markets, indoor or outdoor.
The prefects could however derogate from this rule by granting exemptions for food markets meeting a supply need of the population.
Children
Is it possible to take my child every week to his or her father or mother?
The answer is yes.
The confinement does not call into question the right of parents to see their child.
In the context of joint custody, the child or children can perfectly well be taken to one or the other parent.
To justify the trip, you will have to check the box "compelling family reason".
Will a parent have to bring a certificate to bring their child to school?
Yes, in order to make their task easier, the government provides that parents will be able to obtain a permanent certificate, to be completed by the establishment.
From what age is the mask compulsory?
Children over six years old will have to wear a mask, compared to 11 years previously.