Possible lifting of the latest restrictions in France, Beijing which is closing dozens of metro stations, South Africa which is facing two new sub-variants of Omicron...
Le Figaro
takes stock this Wednesday, May 4 on the latest information related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read the fileCovid-19: the coronavirus pandemic in figures and infographics
“Adaptations” of health restrictions to be expected in the “coming weeks” in France
At the end of the Council of Ministers, the government spokesman, Gabriel Attal, indicated that the health situation was in
"very marked improvement"
in the country.
The daily number of contaminations has, in fact, fallen below the bar of 50,000 cases per day on average, a first since December 2021. This improvement "
will give rise to adaptations in the coming weeks"
of the measures in force, indicated Emmanuel Macron Wednesday, according to Gabriel Attal.
The head of state, however, did not give further details.
Most anti-Covid restrictions have already been lifted.
Still remains the obligation to wear a mask in transport, compulsory isolation after a positive test and the obligation to vaccinate for caregivers.
Read alsoThe end of the mask, a symbol of liberation after two years of Covid
Beijing closes dozens of subway stations, extends restrictions
Largely spared for two years, China has faced its worst epidemic outbreak in recent weeks since the spring of 2020, which has undermined its zero Covid strategy.
Residents of Beijing, where 51 new cases were reported on Wednesday, fear their city will be locked down, like Shanghai, China's largest city with 25 million people, where most cases are recorded.
The Beijing Metro announced the closure of around 60 stations on Wednesday, or about 18% of the network, many of which are near confined areas, according to its WeChat page.
"The entrances and exits of the stations will be closed... but the changes (of line) can be made inside the stations",
specifies the notice.
Read alsoCovid-19: vaccination, weak point of Chinese strategy
In Beijing, residential complexes where contamination has been identified are padlocked to prevent residents from leaving.
Municipal government spokesman Xu Hejian told reporters on Wednesday that the capital would
“temporarily extend”
restrictions, including banning restaurants and closing entertainment venues and sports clubs.
Officials initially said the restrictions would end with the end of the Labor Day holiday on Thursday.
Authorities appeared to be relaxing some rules, however, with Xu Hejian saying people arriving from overseas in Beijing would be required to observe a 10-day supervised quarantine and one week of home isolation, down from 21 days of quarantine previously.
»SEE ALSO –
Covid-19: restrictions tighten in Beijing, residents get tested
South Africa: two new sub-variants of Omicron at the origin of the Covid peak
“South African scientists who identified Omicron late last year have now flagged two other Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, as causing a spike in cases in South Africa
,” World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference.
“It is too early to know whether these new subvariants can cause more severe disease than other Omicron subvariants
,” but early data suggests the vaccine continues to provide good protection against severe forms of Covid and reduce the risk of death, he said.
South Africa, the country officially the most affected on the continent by Covid-19, has entered a new wave of the pandemic, the Center for Innovation and Response to Epidemics (CERI) warned at the end of April.
The country, where less than 45% of the adult population is fully vaccinated, had experienced a 48-hour period in early March without any Covid-related deaths, a first since 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in early April the lifting of all restrictions. pandemic-related legal restrictions.
“The best way to protect the population remains vaccination, as well as social and public health measures that have proven their worth,”
noted Dr Tedros.
Read alsoSouth Africa in a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic