There are strict exit restrictions in France until May 11th. The government provides an outlook on the steps after the end of the measure and warns: There will not be a return to normal everyday life anytime soon.
Paris (dpa) - In France, visits to old people's homes and nursing homes are to be permitted again as part of the relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions.
From Monday there will be another right to visit, albeit with restrictions, said French Health Minister Olivier Véran at a press conference with Prime Minister Édouard Philippe. No more than two relatives may visit a resident in a senior or social care facility at the same time. In addition, physical contact is still prohibited, said Véran. The visit ban has been in effect since mid-March.
The situation regarding the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus in France had worsened in recent weeks, particularly in the care facilities. 45 percent of all facilities nationwide reported at least one case that tested positive for the coronavirus, said Véran.
France has had strict exit restrictions since mid-March. They should last until May 11th. From then on, schools and kindergartens should gradually open again, but the universities should not open before summer. According to Philippes, it has not yet been decided how exactly the school should open. An option is that opening schools in less affected areas first.
"Our life from May 11th will not be the life of before," said Prime Minister Philippe. The health crisis continues. The French could "not immediately" go back to everyday life. Philippe said that it is likely that wearing a protective mask on public transport could become mandatory.
Among other things, in shops, there should be a gap when standing in line. Restaurants, cafes or hotels are said to remain closed for the time being. The companies are also encouraged to continue the regulations for work in the home office.
According to health authorities, more than 19,700 people have been killed in France as a result of a coronavirus infection. The goal is to conduct around half a million tests per week on people who showed symptoms or had contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus, said Health Minister Véran. The widespread implementation of tests is an important pillar of easing in May.
For senior citizens or the chronically ill, who are considered to be more susceptible to the virus, according to head of state Emmanuel Macron, there should be no special rules for relaxing the restrictions. Macron said Friday that he wanted to avoid discrimination against certain groups. But he appealed to the "individual responsibility" of the people. Speculation had previously increased as to whether particularly vulnerable people had to stay at home longer.