In a stormy atmosphere, Jean Castex clarified this Thursday morning in front of the National Assembly the new restrictions announced the day before by Emmanuel Macron to try to curb the third wave of Covid-19.
The Prime Minister's statement is followed by a vote which should be marked by a massive boycott of the oppositions.
Alcohol consumption on public roads prohibited.
"By prefectural decree, and in conjunction with the mayors, access to certain sites suitable for outdoor gatherings such as quays, banks, squares, may be prohibited depending on local circumstances", announced Jean Castex.
The ban on alcohol on public roads had not been mentioned Wednesday evening by the President of the Republic.
The Prime Minister condemned "without reserve" those who do not respect "the sanitary rules", targeting in particular the participants in recent "festive gatherings" or those refusing the wearing of the mask, who will have to be prosecuted "systematically" by the prosecution.
Family reason for childcare.
While nurseries and schools will close for three to four weeks, including one to two weeks of distance learning and two weeks of unified vacation throughout the territory, Jean Castex specified that the compelling reasons allowing travel outside his department will include “Those linked to a family reason, such as accompanying or picking up a child from a parent, grandparent or close relative”.
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Competitions maintained.
The higher education competitions planned for the next four weeks "will be maintained" and their organizational conditions "adapted", announced the Prime Minister.
Examinations that cannot be done at a distance will, on the other hand, be “postponed as much as possible” to “the month of May”.
Canteen: help for low-income families.
The government intends to help "modest families whose children will no longer go to the canteen or will no longer be able to benefit from free breakfasts", promised Jean Castex, with specific terms "in the coming days".
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The vaccine campaign defended.
The Prime Minister said that the French vaccination rate was higher than that of our neighbors, especially in Germany.
His words sparked boos in the Hemicycle.
“We will be there and even well beyond the objectives set out here on December 17 during the debate on the vaccine strategy.
I had announced the vaccination of 15 million people by the end of the first half of the year, we will be very far ahead, ”he said.
And to underline the arrival of “more than 500,000 doses at the end of April” and “2 million in May” of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
VIDEO.
Restrictions extended to the entire territory, schools closed: Emmanuel Macron's speech in full
No opposition between "political power and medical power".
"There is no opposition between the political power and the medical power, we take the greatest account of the opinions, the analyzes, the models and the forecasts of the experts, scientific and medical councils", he has also declared while the executive is accused of having delayed tightening the screw when scientists and opposition from right and left called it.
