One year and one day after the start of the first confinement, Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France and three departments are once again under cover.
Jean Castex announced this Thursday evening a total reconfinement of these territories, 7 days a week. Wednesday evening, in front of the mayors, Emmanuel Macron had excluded the idea of the only containment on weekends in Île-de-France, because this would lead to "An impossible life".
The Prime Minister held the traditional press conference in the company of the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran.
“The progression of the epidemic is accelerating markedly, regrets Jean Castex.
This recovery draws what looks more and more clearly to a third wave, ”he continues.
The head of government also confirmed the resumption of vaccination with AstraZeneca and insisted on the need to strengthen teleworking.
Here's all you need to remember.
Containment begins this weekend
Two regions and three departments will be subject to the same restrictions, 7 days a week, from Friday at midnight.
The continuity of the territorialized strategy now defended by the government since the alerting of 23 departments and the implementation of containment on weekends in the most affected territories.
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From Friday, Ile-de-France, Hauts-de-France, Alpes-Maritimes, Seine-Maritime and Eure will go into permanent containment.
These local lockdowns will be implemented for at least four weeks.
"This is a third path that we are adopting, which should make it possible to slow down without locking up", explains Jean Castex.
Curfew passes at 7 p.m.
However, the curfew is not going away.
The government maintains the ban on travel, unless there is a compelling reason, every day of the week from 7 p.m., and no longer 6 p.m.
The executive thus intends to adapt to the transition to summer time.
Note that this rule is valid throughout France, including in regions that are not affected by confinement.
The measure will come into force on Saturday.
"It is about making it possible to be outside but not to meet with friends without distance or mask," warns the Prime Minister.
Schools open, outing possible 10 km away
This confinement will not be completely modeled on that of last November.
Of course, nursery, primary and secondary schools will remain open.
The high schools will all pass in half-gauge.
The rules currently in force in places of worship will be maintained.
Businesses deemed non-essential will have to close.
Bookstores and record stores are included in the list of businesses considered essential.
But the executive intends to allow the population to spend more time outdoors, where the risk of contamination is considered lower.
“We are infinitely less contaminated outside than when we group together without a mask inside”.
Thus, the government intends to authorize outside activities.
It will be possible to walk, get some fresh air and play sports without a time limit, provided you stay within a limit of ten kilometers.
The travel certificate to justify these day trips, whether for sport or shopping, is making a comeback.
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Interregional travel is prohibited
The government has decided to ban interregional travel in these confined territories 7 days a week, unless there is a compelling reason or for professional reasons.
The evolution of the epidemic worries
“We find that the British variant is more virulent and potentially more serious.
The situation is deteriorating, our responsibility is now that it does not escape us ”.
Jean Castex recalls that more than 1,200 patients are currently treated in Ile-de-France within the intensive care services.
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In the Hauts de France region, the incidence rate is 381. "The epidemic situation is not equivalent between the different departments but the situation is critical in hospitals," deplores the Prime Minister, who adds that the resuscitation capacities are almost saturated in Seine-Maritime and Eure.
"In the Alpes Maritimes, a real drop observed in recent days seems to be easing," he still worries.
However, Jean Castex defended the line adopted by the government in recent weeks.
“We did well not to follow certain models which had predicted a runaway from mid-February”.
AstraZeneca vaccination resumes on Friday
The notice fell less than two hours before the government spoke.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that it is recommending the resumption of the AstraZeneca vaccination, which many European countries - including France - had suspended in recent days due to cases of post-vaccination thrombosis.
Logically, Jean Castex announced that injections with this product would resume, and this from Friday.
The European Medicines Agency says "firmly" that the effectiveness of the vaccine "far outweighs the extremely low probability of developing side effects", defends the Prime Minister.
He himself had indicated Tuesday evening that he would quickly get vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the event of a green light from the EMA, in order to "reassure" the French.
He will raise his sleeve on Friday afternoon.
Vaccination objectives maintained
More generally, Jean Castex has once again set the goal of reaching 10 million vaccinated with at least one dose by April 15.
Currently, nearly 6 million people have received at least one injection in France since the campaign began on December 27.
In mid-May, vaccination will be open to everyone over 50 years old.
The goal is to reach 30 million vaccinated by the end of June.
"We have reached a daily vaccination rate among the highest in the European Union," welcomes the head of government, who indicates that vaccination in nursing homes is almost over.
Call to telecommute
Teleworking will be reinforced.
"If we absolutely do not want to strictly confine the population seven days a week, the obligation of teleworking could be more scientifically justified than confinement on weekends", epidemiologist Pascal Crepey told us on Wednesday.
But the government does not have the power.
"These places represent 29% of the cases identified," said Jean Castex, citing a study by Pasteur, which calls on companies to push teleworking as much as possible.
While allowing employees who wish to come to the workplace one day per week maximum.
According to the same study, using public transport would be less risky than carpooling.
The Prime Minister therefore calls for vigilance on this point.
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