Coronavirus: curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in 9 French cities, detailed measure

Facing the rise of new coronavirus cases in France and to fight against the still very active spread of the virus, as France is now facing a second wave, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced on his address on October 14, the implementation of a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"We shall curb the spread of the virus to protect the others, the oldest, the most precarious; we shall protect our health system and our caregivers. We are all bond together. These 20,000 new cases a day will have to be brough back to the 3000/4000 cases we can manage. It would be disproportionate to reconfine the country; we shall reduce private contacts that are the most dangerous with people who are not in our family circle" Emmanuel Macron said.

In addition to Paris and Ile-de-France, several big cities are concerned by the curfew implemented from Saturday October 17 at midnight and for at least 4 weeks. Cities are: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. 

The day after the head of state's televised address, Prime Minister Jean Castex gave further details on the measure. He says that starting from Saturday October 17 at midnight, everyone shall be home from 9 p.m. He adds that 12,000 police officers will be enlisted to make sure curfew is respected. French people concerned by the measure will have to justify any trip beyond 9 p.m. with a derogatory trip certificate.

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Covid: the derogatory trip certificate for curfew available from December 15 again
In his November 24, 2020's televised address, Emmanuel Macron announced the implementation of a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and toughened up then by Jean Castex this December 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Starting this December 15 at midnight in France, derogatory trip certificates will yet be available. Nighttime trips will have to be justified in the concerned areas with the return of the derogatory trip certificates to print out or download. Here is where you can find curfew certificates. [Read more]

"Curfew is then a relevant measure. We experienced its success in French Guiana. This curfew measure will be applied to the Ile-de-France region where the virus is very active and 8 other big cities: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. It will start this Saturday at midnight and last four weeks. We will soon go to the Parliament to try and extend it to December 1."

Coronavirus: the assessment on the effectiveness of curfew will be known this week
This Thursday October 22, Prime Minister Jean Castex explained it was too soon to know if curfew does have an incidence on the evolution of coronavirus contaminations. First results are expected for the beginning of the week, Île-de-France regional Health Agency director Aurélien Rousseau says. [Read more]

All buildings receiving public, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, as well as show venues and theaters will then have to close at 9 p.m. starting Saturday October 17 at midnight. Ile-de-France inhabitants will have to be home at 9 p.m. as well: "If you have a 30-minute commute, you have to make it to be home at 9 p.m." Emmanuel Macron said. In case the curfew is broken, you could be fined.