It is not yet a re-containment.
But it looks more and more like it.
While the return from the Christmas holidays has been accompanied by a worrying upsurge in Covid-19 cases, the executive has been forced to again toughen the system to fight the virus.
At the same time, it was necessary to revise downwards the ambitious schedule of return to normal which had been detailed by Emmanuel Macron at the end of November, and to give up certain reopening.
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Without going so far as to imitate our European neighbors by establishing a third lockdown - at least for now - the head of government, Jean Castex, and the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, both admitted that they were worried by the extent of the epidemic recovery.
Especially since, to make matters worse, “
two risk clusters
” of the British variant have just been detected in the country on Thursday.
●
"The health situation has become more fragile in recent weeks"
With more than 15,000 new cases every day, "
three times more than the target
", the health situation "
has not returned to normal
".
"
It has even become more fragile in recent weeks
" due to an increase in contamination "
since mid-December
", warned Jean Castex, stressing however that the virus circulates "
less
" than "
in most of our neighbors Europeans
”.
● Towards an extension of the curfew to 6 p.m. in 10 new departments
As is already the case in 15 departments *, the curfew advanced to 6 p.m. could be extended to other territories as of this weekend.
"
The latest figures lead us to identify ten additional departments
", announced Jean Castex, explaining that "
the decisions (will be) taken Friday evening to come into force on Sunday
", after consultations carried out by the prefects of the territories concerned.
● A re-containment is not excluded if the epidemic resumption requires it
A third confinement?
The executive wishes to "
avoid it
", but this avenue remains open.
"
I cannot exclude that we have to take additional national measures
", said the Prime Minister, "
if we realize in the coming days that we need them
".
Objective: "
react quickly
".
● France has
“
started more slowly
”
but is targeting 1
“
million vaccinated
” at the
end of January
Yes, France "
got off to a slower start than the other countries
".
But the vaccination campaign is accelerating.
After having extended the use of the vaccine to health professionals and home helpers over 50, Jean Castex indicated that "
people over 75
" will be able to be vaccinated "
from Monday, January 18
".
Olivier Véran wants to reach a "
cruising speed with several tens of thousands of people vaccinated per day, and a million people vaccinated by the end of January
".
● The
controversies over the vaccine fueled by the opposition are "sterile"
The vaccine "
raises expectations that are legitimate
."
But "
criticisms and sometimes outrageous comments
" are not welcome for all that.
After having regretted "
sterile controversies
" fueled according to him by the opposition, Jean Castex assumed the French shift, affirming that "
the principles and the timetable had been announced
".
●
Prevent "as much as possible" that variant viruses from spreading in France
The variants from South Africa and the United Kingdom are at the gates of France.
"
We clearly expect to identify
" new patients affected in the coming days, warned the executive, because these two new strains are "
more contagious
".
For the time being, around thirty cases in total have been identified.
Consequently, “
only certain very specific categories of people
” coming from the two countries concerned “
are authorized
” to enter French territory, provided they present a negative test.
"
On December 20, we decided to close the borders with the United Kingdom and this measure will be extended until further notice,
" said Jean Castex.
● Theaters, museums and cinema closed
“at least”
until the end of January
Inactive for many weeks already, cultural establishments - theaters, cinemas, museums, performance halls, etc. - will remain closed “
until the end of the month
” at least.
An update on the epidemic will take place on January 20 for a possible reopening in early February.
But "
no relaxation
" is planned so far, said Jean Castex.
● Skiing: not sure to open the ski lifts before the February holidays
He “
understands the concerns
”.
But it would be "
premature
" to open the ski lifts in ski resorts now.
These facilities will have to remain closed for the moment.
They will then be fixed on the February holidays on January 20, during a point to be made with the professionals of the sector, for a possible opening at "the
beginning of the month
" next.
Until then, France will also discuss this issue with neighboring countries.
● Restaurants, sports halls and bars closed
"
at least
"
until mid-February
There was hardly any more hope.
But fears are now confirmed: restaurants, bars and sports halls will ultimately not be able to open on January 20, as had been planned so far.
"
Not realistic
", this calendar is now postponed "
at least until mid-February
".
● All aid to closed businesses will be maintained
The “
whatever it costs
” remains relevant: the executive maintains all of its aid “
under the same conditions
” for the sectors and actors “
directly impacted
” by the crisis.
Discussions will take place with these professionals to “
examine any additional support needs
”.
● “Immediate” work stoppages in January for symptomatic or
“
contact cases
”
Anxious to guarantee "
the effectiveness of the isolation of positive people and their contacts
", the executive will allow them to obtain an immediate work stoppage from January 10.
It will suffice to "
register on the Health Insurance site
" to obtain it, said Jean Castex.
*
Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardennes, Doubs, Jura, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Haute-Saône, Vosges, Territoire de Belfort, Moselle, Nièvre and Saône-et-Loire
