"We're still not ouf of the woods" Jean Castex starts with. What is the French government’s response to the threat of Covid-19?
As the Holiday period is now over, and as it meant that many people traveled across the country to meet with their relatives and as it led to increase health risks, the government is willing to avoid a new epidemic surge. This Thursday January 7, 2021 Prime Minister Castex addressed the French and presented them the situation, along with Health Minister Olivier Véran.
As planned, the new curfew map has changed a bit. the day after statements announced by Prime Minister, prfects and government have extended curfew from 6 p.m. in the following: departments: Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, Vaucluse, Cher, Côte d'Or, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Bouches-du-Rhône, where the new British coronavirus strain has been found this Saturday January 9, 2021. The implementation of the new hours of curfew is planned from Sunday January 10, 2021 excluding in Var and Drôme starting Tuesday January 12, 2021.
Furthermore, hour constraint changes - naming from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. - depending on the situation in each territory are to be confirmed in some departments. Yonne remains on the edge. In Haute-Savoie most elected representatives are against bringing curfew forward to 6 p.m. and the government confirms curfew from 8 p.m. in the department.
Today, curfew begins at 6 p.m. in 15 departments in France. This could change from tomorrow, moving from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. in 10 departments the epidemic is more active.
As announced by the government, determining criteria are, first and foremost, the incidence rate in people of all age ranges, then the incidence rate in elderly people. If this incidence rate exceeds the fateful 200 cases for 100,000-inhabitant threshold, restrictions will have to be made harsher.
Health brainteaser
Therefore, an advisor close to the Elysée sums up difficulties met by the executive to come to a decision on the matter. “We have the choice between giving prospects and creating disappointment or giving no deadline and getting the French down” he says. The precise calendar announced by Emmanuel Macron back in November to stop the third Covid-19 wave is now fully null and void so much the events seem to get out of control from the health authorities and measures implemented.
As for the ongoing vaccine campaign, new statements are to be detailed. On the European scale, France is clearly in a bad position for as of January 4 only 500 people were vaccinated (against 1 million in the UK, 200,000 in Germany). Therefore, the French government and Health Minister Olivier Véran have promised they will open between 500 and 600 vaccination centers by the end of January.
