Emmanuel Macron has decided.
The head of state has ruled out the option of a third strict confinement and a long closure of schools, supported by part of the medical world.
The braking measures, which previously concerned 19 departments, will however be extended to the entire territory.
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- Covid-19: find the latest information after Macron's speech
Faced with the "third wave" of the Covid-19 epidemic, with an occupancy rate in intensive care units approaching 90% and the threat of a "sorting" of patients in Île-de-France, the head of state has resolved to choose a middle path, during a Defense Council meeting on Wednesday morning.
This health strategy will be defended Thursday by the Prime Minister, before Parliament, and submitted to an advisory vote of deputies and senators.
● Travel restrictions extended to the entire territory
This is the end of “localized” measures.
"
No region is spared
", assured the head of state.
The limitation of daytime trips, which since March 18 concerned 19 departments in the red zone, will be extended to the entire metropolitan territory.
From Saturday evening, and for four weeks, it will no longer be possible to move within a perimeter of more than 10 km, unless there is a compelling reason, announced the head of state.
The certificate will not be necessary for these trips within a perimeter of 10 km during the day.
During curfew hours, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., or for trips exceeding 10 kilometers, a certificate will be required.
Read also: Test, isolation: the procedure to follow in case of suspicion of Covid-19
● A tolerance for traveling during the Easter weekend
The French will be able to choose their place of confinement.
Whether it's a change of region or a return to France from a foreign country, a tolerance will be required for the trips that will be made during this Easter weekend.
On the other hand, “
controls and sanctions
” will be “
reinforced on public roads to limit gatherings
” and to “
control alcohol consumption
”.
● Schools closed for three weeks, spring break unified
It's the return of distance learning.
One year after an unprecedented closure of schools, schools will no longer welcome students next week.
Until Saturday April 10, lessons for primary, college and high school students will be remote.
Spring break will begin on April 12 for a period of two weeks for all zones.
Finally, from April 26 and for one week, lessons will resume face-to-face in primary school and nursery school, and remotely in for middle and high school students.
May 3 could mark the general reopening of schools with adapted gauges.
Students will be able to continue to attend university for one day per week.
Read also: Covid-19: closing schools, a decision with serious economic consequences
● All devices maintained for parents who have to babysit their children
Following the announcement of the closure of nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools for three weeks, the Head of State recalled that the parents concerned who must keep their children and cannot telework
"will be entitled to partial unemployment".
For employees, traders, self-employed, entrepreneurs and businesses,
“all the measures will be extended”.
●
Vaccination extended to over 50s on May 15
“
Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate without respite.
Once again, Emmanuel Macron wants to speed up vaccination by setting new goals: from April 16, vaccination will be open to people over 60 years old.
Those over 50 will then have access to it on May 15.
Finally, all French people who wish to be vaccinated will be able to do so from mid-June.
A “
specific strategy
” will also be adopted for “
all the most exposed professions
”, such as teachers and law enforcement.
Read also: Vaccines against Covid-19: latest info, calendar, appointments, side effects ...
●
Additional reinforcements in resuscitation
Emmanuel Macron praised
“the remarkable action of our caregivers, in particular the resuscitation and critical care teams”
and announced that they
“are and will be supported in the coming days by additional reinforcements”.
The number of intensive care beds, which has already been increased to 7,000, is expected to reach just over 10,000 beds, he added.
● All non-essential shops closed in France
As a result of the expansion to the whole of France of the restriction measures imposed for the moment in 19 departments, all
"shops will be closed throughout the metropolitan territory according to the list already defined
" in the departments concerned, said Emmanuel Macron.
Only the businesses considered essential will remain open.
●
Teleworking must be "systematized"
Regarding telework, which
"is undoubtedly the most effective measure"
, according to the Head of State, it
"will be systematized and I call on all workers and employers to use it whenever they can" .
●
Culture, bars, restaurants ... A gradual reopening from “mid-May”
Places of culture, bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, sports… Thanks to the “efforts of April” and the “deployment of vaccination”, Emmanuel Macron wishes to “gradually reopen the country” from “mid-May”.
"We are going to build, between mid-May and the beginning of summer, a timetable for gradual reopening", accompanied by "strict rules", he promises.
●
"Mistakes" made but "
we did well" not to re-define
The Head of State admits to having made
“mistakes”
.
But on the strategy of not reconfining in January, unlike several European countries, Emmanuel Macron considers that he has “
done well
”.
“
We have enabled hundreds of thousands of workers to keep their heads above water without ever losing control of the epidemic,
” he said.
Before adding that "
believing in the responsibility of the French
" is "
never a bet
".