With 67 exceptions, the 67 million inhabitants of France will no longer be allowed to take to the streets from tomorrow. That measure applies for at least two weeks. 100,000 agents are deployed across the country to monitor curfews. Anyone who goes on the street can be fined 135 euros.
That was announced by the French minister of the interior Christophe Castaner. “It’s not about penalizing people. We want the French to show responsible behavior.”
Special form
An exception is made for people who go to work or to a doctor. Shopping is also allowed. But those who want to take to the streets for these reasons must have a special form for this. This can be downloaded from French government sites.
France thus follows Spain and Italy, which took similar measures. France now has more than 6,600 infections with the corona virus and 148 deaths. Nearly a quarter of all victims fell in northeastern France. The army will set up an emergency hospital there in the coming days to relieve local hospitals.
Invisible enemy
Like Prime Minister Rutte in, President Macron addressed his people on television. “It is war,” he said repeatedly. “And we are dealing with an invisible enemy.”
Macron announced the national quarantine on TV. “Go outside only when necessary.” Minister Castaner said that “family meals and football with friends” are prohibited, “but walking the dog is still allowed.”
Elections postponed
Macron also announced that the second round of local elections, scheduled for next Sunday, will be postponed. He said that if necessary, the government will take measures by decree if the situation requires it. All reforms, such as pensions, are being put on hold to give absolute priority to the fight against corona.
Macron and Minister Castaner both also said that the European Union will close its external borders. Formally, no decision has yet been taken in Brussels. But the French are firmly convinced that this measure will be announced tomorrow. “People from outside the EU are banned from entering,” said Castaner.
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