French President Immanuel Macron has announced that France will lockdown for two weeks to stem the spread of the corona virus. The country does this in imitation of Italy and Spain. People are only allowed to take to the streets with special documents, otherwise they risk a fine.
“I know what I ask of you is unprecedented, but the circumstances call for it. We are at war,” the French president said in a televised speech. Hospitality and ski areas were previously closed, but Macron now wants everyone to stay inside.
People are only allowed to go outside for ‘essential activities’, but he has not yet explained exactly what that means. With a specially printed document from the ministry, people can be allowed to take to the streets
Those who take to the streets without such a document can be fined at least 135 euros. To further maintain the lockdown, the French Ministry of the Interior has mobilized 100,000 police officers. Checkpoints are also being set up in the country.
The French army is going to help transport patients to hospitals. In addition, the eastern region of Alsace will have a military hospital with thirty Intensive Care beds. A high concentration of coronavirus infections has been detected in Alsace.
Schengen area locked for thirty days
Macron also announced that the external borders of the Schengen area will be closed for at least thirty days. This measure will take effect from noon on Tuesday. The Schengen countries together form a large part of the European Union, including the Netherlands.
In France, more than 6,500 people are infected with the COVID-19 virus and 148 people have died from its effects. The French capital Paris was the first place in Europe where someone was found to be infected with the virus.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads through sneezes and cough drops. The virus can be transmitted directly from person to person or (for a limited time) through surfaces such as door handles.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Nearly all deaths involve the elderly or other frail, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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