Everything accelerated at the last minute this Friday evening.
From the Elysee Palace, Jean Castex announced new measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, it was rather the head of state who was expected on television this weekend or Monday.
A Defense Council was first held in the late afternoon, taking everyone by surprise.
But the government had been clearly suggesting, for several days, that the health situation would inevitably lead to new restrictions.
No re-containment, but ...
There will be no third lockdown… for now.
"If the health situation remains better under control in France than in many of our neighbors, it is however worrying", indicated Jean Castex in the preamble of his short speech of ten minutes.
But the prime minister said he feared the spread of variants.
This is why, "without further ado", several new measures have been decided.
Drastic controls will be in force at the borders
Any entry into France and any exit to or from a country outside the European Union "will be prohibited", unless there is a compelling reason, the Prime Minister said.
This measure will come into effect at midnight on the night of Saturday to Sunday.
Any entry from a country inside the EU will be subjected to a PCR test, as is already the case today.
Finally, all travel from or to overseas will also be subject to a compelling reason for travel.
A family reason or a health reason generally falls within this framework.
Large closed shopping centers
Non-food shopping centers with an area "greater than 20,000 m2 will have to close," said Jean Castex.
In addition, “the gauges will be reinforced in all supermarkets” from Monday, he added.
The precise modalities have yet to be specified.
Even more teleworking
The effective use of telework "should be reinforced", insisted Jean Castex.
A consultation with the social partners "to define the modalities" will start on Monday, he added.
However, no announcement was made regarding schools.
In recent weeks, the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Banquer has always announced that he wanted to keep them open.
Test, trace, vaccinate ...
The Prime Minister finally recalled the importance of the “test, alert, protect” strategy.
He once again recommended “testing and isolating yourself at the slightest doubt” of contamination.
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Police and gendarmes will be mobilized for reinforced controls of the curfew, which remains in force at 6 p.m. across the country.
"Our duty is to do everything possible to avoid a new confinement and the coming days will be decisive", warned the head of government.
Good news in his mouth, however, about the vaccination: “Almost a million and a half French people have received their first injection.
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