In France, all shops may reopen from Saturday, and more relaxation will follow from mid-December. However, the catering industry will remain closed for at least two months. President Emmanuel Macron announced this on Tuesday.
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According to President Macron, the worst of the second corona wave is over, he said in a television speech on Tuesday evening. He thanked all French for following up on the measures and thus reducing the number of infections and hospital admissions again. In exchange, they will get a little more freedom from Saturday. They still need to have a certificate with them when they leave the house, but the radius around their home will increase by 20 kilometers and they can stay away for up to three hours.
Also, the places of worship and all non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen from Saturday, although they must follow a strict security protocol and close by 9pm at the latest, the president said.
A second round of easing will follow from December 15, but only when the number of new infections daily drops to about 5,000. The lockdown will then also be lifted, although there will still be a curfew between 9 pm and 7 am. However, this will not apply on December 24 and December 31. By lifting the lockdown, families can visit each other during the Christmas period, although Macron calls for not inviting too many people. “We must do everything we can to avoid a third wave and a third lockdown,” said the president.
The French can also go to the cinema, theater and museums again in two weeks. Visiting a restaurant or cafe will no longer happen this year. Only on January 20 is a possible reopening of the cafes and restaurant on the agenda, according to the president. The president first wants to get through the end-of-year period without much damage.
“Only when the number of new infections daily remains below 5,000 can we think of reopening the gyms and restaurants, and lifting the curfew,” said Macron. He hopes that around this time, secondary schools and universities will once again be able to welcome everyone into the classrooms and auditoriums.
He also considers it impossible to reopen the ski areas before the end of the year. “Rather a reopening in January under good conditions.”
Vaccine not mandatory
The renewed freedom requires caution, Macron emphasized. Good follow-up will also be necessary, and he therefore asks to use the corona app as often as possible when restaurants and cultural places reopen. The president also argues that anyone who is tested will never have to wait more than 24 hours for his or her results from January. The government will also monitor more strictly that those who are infected adhere to the quarantine measures, it still sounds.
Finally, the president also explained some of the vaccine strategy. The corona vaccine will not be mandatory, and the president hopes that the vaccination of the most vulnerable can be started in late December or early January.
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