“The health crisis we are going through has now been going on for over a year.
A year of sorrows, hardships.
One year of efforts for all.
"In times of Covid, when the Head of State speaks, it is often because the hour is serious.
When this is the case, the French know that the measures announced will be potentially difficult to live with.
Emmanuel Macron had not solemnly addressed the French on the Covid since November 24.
Four months later, the virus hits most of the country.
Strong enough for the President of the Republic to appear again in front of the camera this Wednesday evening, at 8 p.m. and live on television, to announce new restrictions.
Until then opposed to a reconfinement and partisan of a territorialized logic, the Head of State has at least returned to this second point.
All departments will now be housed in the same boat.
Main novelty, feared by parents: schools will remain closed from Friday, before a week of distancing, two weeks of vacation for all then a gradual resumption.
The goal is to gradually relieve the intensive care units, under very high tension with the peak of the “second wave” passed.
Here is what to remember from these announcements, which Jean Castex will defend Thursday in Parliament.
Restrictions extended to the entire territory
In recent weeks, the government has taken care to defend at all costs a major presidential choice: that of not completely reconfiguring the country.
If Emmanuel Macron returns this Wednesday evening to the territorialized strategy, the French will not be subject to the same restrictions as during the two severe confinements undergone in the last twelve months.
“Since the beginning of this year, we have opted for a response that aimed to curb the epidemic without confining ourselves,” recalls Emmanuel Macron.
It intends to continue on this path, and on three established principles: "Safety, balance, responsibility".
After recalling the threat of the epidemic and the British variant now largely in the majority, the Head of State has chosen to extend to the whole country the measures which were until then reserved for the most affected departments, including the closure of shops that do not sell basic necessities and the obligation to have a certificate to travel more than 10 km from home.
"No metropolitan region is now spared by the epidemic", he justifies.
This generalization will come into force on Saturday evening.
Everyone must take care not to shut themselves up but to limit contacts and meetings as much as possible.
The curfew is maintained at 7 p.m.
The businesses will be closed according to the list defined in the 19 departments concerned.
Interregional travel will be authorized for the Easter weekend.
The travel certificate will not be requested for travel of less than ten kilometers.
Only proof of address may be requested.
"We are choosing trust," explains Emmanuel Macron.
Nurseries, schools and high schools closed for three weeks
"We can be pleased to have reopened the schools first and to have kept them open since September 2020, welcomes Emmanuel Macron", began Emmanuel Macron.
But the Head of State had to resolve to "adapt the school calendar", as he himself defines it.
Nurseries, schools and high schools will close their doors as of Friday.
Once Easter Monday has passed, teaching will indeed be provided for four days at a distance.
Two weeks of vacation for all pupils will follow in all zones.
Which amounts more or less to a closure of schools for at least three weeks, desired for several days by various elected officials ... but feared by many parents.
This Wednesday morning, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo had requested it in turn.
The recovery will be gradual.
On May 26, classes will resume face-to-face in nursery and primary schools.
They will be provided at a distance in middle and high schools until May 3.
No change has been recorded in higher education.
Students will be able to come and attend one day of classes per week.
It is therefore a government totem that partly falls.
The Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, has systematically repeated for several weeks that the closure of schools should be a last resort and lever to operate.
People over 50 vaccinated from May 15
The Head of State announced on Wednesday that those over 60 will be able to be vaccinated from April 16.
A further expansion of access to vaccines is due to take effect a month later.
On May 15, all French people over the age of 50 will be able to get vaccinated.
"In total, 250,000 professionals are now ready to contribute to this national effort", welcomes Emmanuel Macron, who indicates that 1,700 centers have been opened for Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, which are more difficult to implement in terms of logistics. .
"We will keep the objective that I have set for us," he insists.
Namely the vaccination of all French people who want it at the end of the summer.
The use of telework will increase
If the government does not have the elbow room to impose telework on all companies, it knows full well that the closure of schools will force many parents to work from home.
For weeks, the government has been urging companies to play the game more.
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For parents who would not have the possibility of teleworking and who will be forced to stay at home to take care of their children, the government promises to give them access to partial unemployment.
All the aid measures promised to businesses will be maintained.
An effort required of caregivers
To deal with the epidemic, the President of the Republic wishes to increase the number of intensive care beds.
He calls for the mobilization of students, retirees, but also the health reserve.
When will the “happy days” return?
As he tries to do systematically, Emmanuel Macron has also projected himself towards the aftermath.
Isn't it he who, on April 13, 2020, still in the context of a speech at 8 p.m., said: "we will have better days and we will find the Happy Days"?
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End of the Covid-19 epidemic: July, autumn, 2022 ... when will the happy days return?
More cautious this Wednesday evening, the head of state indicated that the return to a more normal life could be considered provided that efforts are maintained.
"If we know how to organize ourselves over the next few weeks, we will see the light at the end of the tunnel."
At the end of his speech, Emmanuel Macron set the goal of relaxing the measures in mid-May.
He promised to give an agenda of reopening soon.
