Covid-19: the executive toughens the rules to reassure the French

The executive is looking for the right mix. In this return marked by the persistence of the Covid-19 virus and the fear of a second wave, the government must on the one hand take binding measures to fight against the epidemic and on the other encourage the French to resume a life normal, to avoid further crippling the economy. "There is a feeling of concern, we are not there to scare, but we have to share the reality" , summarizes a minister. Prevent, tighten certain rules, while reassuring ...

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“Everywhere in Europe there is a resumption of the epidemic. There is nothing to panic about, we are not back to the situation in April but, despite everything, there were 1000 cases a day a few weeks ago, we are now at 3000 ( …). There is something happening " , explained Wednesday morning the Prime Minister, all in nuances, at the microphone of France Inter. "The worst of all is that we are sinking, because we do not resume activity, in an economic and social crisis which would be - the French feel it well - much more dangerous than the crisis sanitary ", warned Jean Castex. To be able to "live with the virus" , he therefore called on the French to "the spirit of responsibility" .

The protocol for companies will be ready at best by the end of the week, by Monday at the latest

Aware of the damage caused by generalized confinement, the government wants at all costs to avoid putting the country once again under cover. Jean Castex therefore invited them to return to work, to school, but also to rediscover a social and cultural life, “while protecting themselves” .

The Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, for his part clarified, in the afternoon, the health protocol for the start of the school year . All adults, from kindergarten to high school, will be required to wear the mask at school. The Minister of Labor, Élisabeth Borne, finalizes the rules - and especially the exceptions - concerning companies. "The protocol will be ready at best at the end of the week, at the latest Monday" , that is to say the day before the entry into force of the compulsory wearing of the mask in company, indicates a member of the executive. Around the table in the Elysée village hall, Wednesday morning, all the ministers, spaced one meter from each other, had also hidden their faces, just like the President of the Republic. The Deputy Ministers and Secretaries of State, for their part, participated in the discussions by videoconference.

Tighten the rules in Paris

Since Tuesday evening, the wearing of the compulsory mask has been generalized in Marseille, as well as the closure of bars and restaurants at 11 p.m. "We assume to territorialize the measures as much as possible, slice Gabriel Attal, spokesman for the government. If the same rules applied everywhere while the circulation of the virus varies according to the territories, how can we expect the French to consider them legitimate? ”

The same type of measures could be adopted by the end of the week in Paris, where the virus is actively circulating. The town hall and the prefecture are discussing whether to toughen the rules. So far, the obligation to wear the mask has been limited to certain areas of the capital. Emmanuel Macron indicated in the Council of Ministers that he himself had experienced the illegibility of this doctrine. "The president asked for readability and confidence, and recognized that it was sometimes hard to navigate , " said a minister.

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Until the presentation of the recovery plan, postponed to Thursday, September 3, the executive will redouble its efforts to try to familiarize the French with the new recommendations. While scientists' analyzes are sometimes contradictory, Prime Minister Jean Castex has decided to return to the educational press conferences initiated by his predecessor Édouard Philippe, during confinement. Thursday morning, the head of government will be alongside ministers Olivier Véran and Jean-Michel Blanquer to take a detailed look at the situation. The Minister of Health will then go to Marseille. "There is however a risk of antagonism, between those who consider that we do too much and those who think that we do not do enough, warns a minister. The worst would be to upset both sides. ”