The president sets the broad guidelines, the prime minister implements.
Two days after Emmanuel Macron's solemn address - who decided on a gradual deconfinement in three stages - Jean Castex detailed the Elyos announcements during a press conference in Matignon on Thursday.
Surrounded by ministers Élisabeth Borne (Labor), Roselyne Bachelot (Culture), Olivier Véran (Health) and Alain Griset (Small and medium-sized enterprises), the head of government set a timetable and a health protocol for the various sectors affected by the second epidemic wave.
LIVE - Follow the latest information on the epidemic situation
"WHAT R
E
OPENS THIS WEEKEND
● All shops will reopen on Saturday
Whatever their size, businesses will be able to resume their activity on Saturday, with extended hours: they will be able to close at 9 p.m., and will benefit from simplified exemptions to open on Sunday.
However, “
protective health rules
” must remain in force there.
This new framework provides in particular for a doubling of the gauge, which goes from 4m2 per customer to 8m2.
Barrier gestures must also be respected.
Finally, in supermarkets, the shelves of non-essential products, closed until now, may also reopen.
Reopening of businesses: here is the new health protocol that will apply from November 28
● Driving lessons and real estate visits authorized again
Driving schools will be able to resume their practical preparation activity for the driving tests on Saturday, but theoretical preparation "will
continue to be done remotely,
" said Jean Castex.
As for the real estate agencies, they will be able to resume visits from Saturday.
● Worship: limit of 30 people until at least December 15
Places of worship will reopen on Saturday, with a limit of 30 people.
Announced Tuesday by Emmanuel Macron, this restriction caused the misunderstanding of some Catholics, with the approach of the end of year holidays.
But it "
will evolve gradually depending on the health situation
," said Jean Castex.
The rule could therefore be relaxed from December 15.
To read also: Bishop Michel Aupetit: "That's enough, we must stop infantilizing ourselves!"
● Christmas and New Year: “imperative” to “limit” the guests
The French will be able to find their loved ones for the end of year celebrations: the curfew, in effect from December 15, will be exceptionally lifted on December 24 and 31.
But "
that does not mean that we will be able to celebrate Christmas or the New Year like in previous years
", warned the Prime Minister.
It will be "
imperative
" to "
limit
" the number of guests, following "
concrete recommendations
" which should be made "
before the holidays
".
● Libraries and cultural shops accessible on Saturday
From Saturday, cultural businesses will be able to reopen, including bookstores and record stores.
Libraries and archives will also be accessible to the public, added Jean Castex.
However, museums, cinemas and theaters will have to wait until December 15.
»WHAT REMAINS CLOSED
FOR THE MOMENT
● We will have to wait until January 2021 to go skiing
The health situation does not "
allow to consider
" skiing during the Christmas period, said Jean Castex.
It will therefore be possible to "
go
" to the resorts during the holidays, but "
all ski lifts and public facilities will be closed
".
The executive is preparing the reopening from January and will support injured professionals.
● Bars and restaurants “closed until January 20”
Unlike shops, other activities with a "
proven health risk
", such as sports halls and restaurants, "
will remain closed until January 20
".
A “
difficult
”
decision
, explained by the absence of the wearing of a mask or the respect of barrier gestures more difficult to impose in these places.
● "Tolerance" for cultivation in the evening from December 15th
Museums, cinemas and theaters will be able to reopen from December 15, in accordance with the health protocol already established, said the Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot.
Shows will have to end at 9:00 p.m., at the start of the "curfew", but a
"tolerance"
will be observed for spectators returning home after this time.
They will have to present their show or cinema ticket, in case of control by the police.
● Possible to move from one region to another from mid-December
From December 15, interregional travel will be authorized, the Prime Minister said.
But for visits to overseas territories, a PCR test of less than 72 hours must be provided.
It will be possible to travel abroad, but with caution.
Vacation centers and summer camps will also remain closed.
● Make 2021 “the year of French gastronomy”
In order to help bars and restaurants affected by the economic crisis, Jean Castex wants to make 2021 “
the year of French gastronomy
”.
Objective: "to
promote the know-how
" of restaurateurs, "
to help them modernize their working tools
" and "to
encourage a resumption of consumption
".
A "
qualified person
" will be appointed "
to prepare this major project
", announced the Prime Minister.
● Telework "remains the rule" and must be "massive"
Throughout this period of progressive relief, recourse to telework "must remain the rule," said Jean Castex.
It should be "as massive as possible", and supported by a dialogue with the social partners, he added.
»THE
STRATEGY OF
TESTS AND VACCINES
● The government will present its strategy next week
Still a little patience to know the details of the plan for the vaccination: the executive will unveil its strategy next week for this new crucial step in the fight against the epidemic.
It will also present its “
test, alert, protect, cure
”
strategy
.
● Recommendations by mid-December on vaccination
Giving some details, Olivier Véran indicated that the High Authority for Health had been asked to prepare recommendations in terms of "priority target audience" for the vaccination campaign.
The first returns are expected by the end of November and they will be consolidated "in the first half of December".
The National Consultative Ethics Committee will also be involved.
● Isolation of patients: a bill to make it more “effective”
To make
the isolation of the sick
more
"effective"
, the Prime Minister announced that the government will submit a bill to Parliament.
The aim is to provide
“more individualized” support
to infected people, while ensuring that their isolation is
“better respected and therefore more effective
”.
»
ECONOMIC
SUPPORT MEASURES
● Reinforced aid for companies in difficulty
Economic support will be stepped up for companies in sectors
"the hardest hit"
, such as hotels or tourism activities: this new aid will reach
"15% to 20%"
of turnover, provided that this has fallen
"at least by half"
, said Jean Castex.
● New aid for precarious workers
Anxious to support precarious workers, the government announced a new measure allowing those who worked more than 60% of the time in 2019 but could not recharge their rights in 2020 to benefit from a "
guaranteed income of 900 euros per month
»from November to February inclusive.
In particular, temporary and seasonal workers should benefit.
● Strengthening of the support system for young people
Several devices will help young people "
in very difficult situations
".
Jean Castex explained in particular that the number of beneficiaries of the youth guarantee was going to be doubled, from 100,000 to 200,000.
Support for finding a job will also be improved with a "
specific mechanism
" bringing together support and financial assistance.
● 20,000 student jobs created to support drop-out students
The Prime Minister announced the creation of 20,000 “
student jobs
” for dropout students.
These contracts will last four months, "
at the rate of ten hours per week
", and will cost the state 50 million euros, he said.
