The horizon was blocked, it grew darker still.
While the executive is still waiting to know the impact of the end of the year holidays on the Covid-19 epidemic, it is now two new variants of the virus that threaten to spread in the country, the British and the south -african, more contagious and more virulent.
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“
The health situation has not returned to normal, it has even become more fragile in recent weeks,
” the Prime Minister warned Thursday, two days after a new Health Defense Council.
Hence the maintenance of the restrictive measures already in place and a form of preparation for a third confinement.
"
I can not exclude that we have to take additional national measures
, slipped the Prime Minister without however uttering the word" reconfinement ".
We will have to react quickly if we notice a new acceleration of the virus
. "
For the time being, the closure of bars and restaurants has been extended until “
mid-February
" at least.
That of ski lifts in ski resorts will be reviewed on January 20.
For museums, cinemas, theaters, performance halls, sports or leisure facilities, there will be “
no relaxation
” until the end of the month.
What feed the concern of professionals on the survival of their activity, even if the Prime Minister assured that the aid from which they benefit would be extended.
"
I am happy that we are criticized for not reopening these establishments but it is when we closed them that the number of contaminations began to drop,
" said a minister.
Live:
LIVE - Covid-19: the closure of schools "considered as a last resort" according to Jean Castex
To amplify the effect of these closures on the spread of the virus, the Prime Minister announced that it would now be possible for people with symptoms of Covid, or for contact cases, to obtain an “
immediate
”
work stoppage
, compensated and without waiting day by registering it on the Health Insurance website.
Covid-19: "The closure of schools must be considered as a last resort", specifies Jean Castex - Watch on Figaro Live
Vaccines for those over 75
Still in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, the curfew is maintained, especially in the fifteen departments where it has been extended to 6 p.m.
This last measure could be extended to ten new departments from Sunday, depending on the evolution of contamination figures.
The new list will be made public on Friday.
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However, there is no question of closing schools like in Great Britain.
“
The health situation should really be extremely serious,
” said Jean Castex, whose annoyance increased during his press conference, over the questions and in particular those on the vaccination campaign and its failures.
It “
raises legitimate expectations and questions that are just as legitimate.
In recent days, it has given rise to sometimes outrageous comments and criticisms
. "
Along with the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, the head of government defended his strategy at length, detailing the vaccine orders, the audiences concerned as a priority and the timetable for the operation.
The French are not kind to us, but neither are they to those who criticize us
A minister
If the vaccine is currently reserved for the elderly living in nursing homes and caregivers over 50, the target will be gradually broadened.
From January 18, people over 75 will be able to access vaccination centers.
"
A center per department has already been opened
" or "
100 on the territory
", indicated the Prime Minister.
A figure which will be raised to 300 at the beginning of next week, then gradually up to 600. Enough to extinguish the controversy and silence the critics of the opposition?
"
The French are not benevolent towards us, but they are not either with those who criticize us
", observes a minister.
Covid-19: vaccination has become "the number one priority" of the government, says Jean Castex - Watch on Figaro Live
A still unclear health situation
In any case, within the executive one expects to know other criticisms.
Some are therefore worried about the side effects of the vaccine which, statistically, will not fail to appear.
Others have no doubts that the issue of the health passport will come to the fore in the public debate.
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The latter see the issue of the purchase of vaccine doses by local authorities rising.
With each time, a questioning of the strategy of the executive.
"
Suddenly we are accused of doing too much and the same reproach us two weeks later for not doing enough
", sighed Jean Castex Thursday.
This is the problem with sailing on sight in the fog.
In view of the unpredictability of the virus, this is not about to end.
As the Prime Minister has acknowledged, the country's health situation is still unclear.
"
It is still a little early to be able to appreciate it clearly,
" he said, announcing details for the "
middle of next week
".
Unless there is an unforeseen event ...
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