Lockdown exit – although progressive – is still schedule on May 3, 2021 in France. Anyway, this is what government spokesman Gabriel Attal guarantees this Friday April 16, 2021 in Franceinfo. Two weeks ahead of the fateful day announced by President Macron the night of his address on March 31, the young minister confirms that “at this stage no new calendar is planned” as for the end of restrictions. In other words, schools are to reopen and health restrictions are to ease off on the same day. If everything goes well…
Yet, curfew instated for months now is not to be lifted. So far, “no date” to end it, the spokesman says. According to President Macron’s address and the government’s recent media appearances, nothing changes: the French will serenely start exiting lockdown from May 3 and enjoy reopening as the weather gets warmer.
To date, the only more or less concrete elements addressed by Attal involve the reopening calendar. Of course, it is about to simply share prospects already considered by the Head of State without giving a precise date or pragmatical modalities. “The president said by mid-May some terraces and cultural places might reopen. There will be a progressive calendar, we must be thorough, pragmatic, and show common sense”, the spokesperson explains.
Asked about the reopening of schools closed for a bit over three weeks everywhere in France, Attal supports without batting an eye the scenario addressed by President Macron in late March: children will return to school from this day, in good conditions. For nursery and primary school, that is to say from Monday April 26, 2021, namely in barely 10 days. As for vaccinating teachers, the campaign might “probably start around mid-May”. With such a calendar imbued with uncertainties, the last word is given to the Covid-19 epidemic.
Exiting lockdown from mid-May: the executive to temporize the calendar
While the epidemic situation in France is still hanging on a thread given the presence of variants, the government announces the band of trips beyond 10km is to be lifted as well as curfew to be eased from May 2. Schools reopen on April 26 for nursery and primary schools. Cultural places and terraces are to progressively reopen "by setp" depending on the spread of the virus in each territory, the vaccination campaign is to escalate, “long-term” health guidelines: at the top of the State, all credible options are taken into account to meet the Head of State’s ambitious goal. But including – as often – zero health certitude. [Read more]
