"Faced with an even more contagious, and more deadly virus [...] we must set a framework for the coming months". French President has held a televised address on Wednesday March 31, 2021, a few hours after the Health Defense Council.
Measures instated in the 19 departments so far will be extended to France for four weeks, starting this Saturday evening. As planned, Emmanuel Macron announced the closure of schools for three weeks, and the implementation of a new school calendar. Inter-regional trips are banned past April 5, excluding pressing matters. Daytime trips beyond a 10-km radius around one's home are also banned, excluding derogations.
Furthermore, the president has also spoken about "efforts from health caregivers to increase our ICU occupancy capacity". As for working from home, President Macron wishes it is now "systematic". All over the country, stores are to close, according to the list already instated in the 19 departments.
Moreover, the Head of State has given prospects for the reopenings of sectors, "from mid-May". He said: "we will start reopening some cultural places. We will allow - under conditions - the opening of terraces, and we will build between mid-May and early summer, a progressive reopening schedule for culture, sport, leisure, events, cafés and restaurants".
