Curfew in Ile-de-France and in eight metropolises, new aid to affected sectors and in favor of the poorest, no more than six people at the same table, a new testing strategy … In a television interview On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron announced new restriction measures in order to curb the spread of a virus with which we will have to deal “until at least the summer of 2021”.“We must react because the situation is worrying. Today, the virus is everywhere, our caregivers are very tired and we do not have any hidden beds in reserve, which is why we must take more stringent measures ”, justified the president in a television interview.
A curfew for at least 4 weeks
“It would be disproportionate to reconfigure the country, our objective is to reduce the private contacts which are the most dangerous. The decision we have taken is a curfew ”, announced the head of state in a television interview.
This curfew will last for at least four weeks and possibly six if parliament allows it. It will apply to the Ile-de-France region and to eight metropolises: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Marsielle, Rouen, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. This curfew will be between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and will start from this Saturday.
Map of the 8 cities affected by the curfew
Fines of 135 euros, “no more than six at the table”
How will this curfew unfold? No formal driving ban but “Authorizations”, will be necessary for “Come home from work after 9:00 p.m. or for night work”, detailed Emmanuel Macron. In the event of non-compliance with the curfew, fines of 135 euros will be issued, 1500 euros in the event of a repeat offense.
Here is the list of cities affected by the curfew
However, there will be no restrictions on transport during the curfew, or travel between regions. And these measures will not prevent people from going on the All Saints’ Day holidays which begin Friday evening.
In addition, Emmanuel Macron also asked the French on Wednesday “At most not to be more than six at the table” in private meetings. He invited to apply in the private sphere, with family and friends, this rule already in force for a few weeks in restaurants.
“A strict curfew can be an effective measure”
Support measures for affected sectors, aid of 150 euros for the poorest
As a direct consequence of the curfew, restaurants and bars as well as theaters and cinemas will have to close at 9 p.m. Professionals in sectors affected by the curfew will benefit from new aid. “We will have additional support devices”, said the president, mentioning short-time working and the recently expanded solidarity fund.
Recipients of RSA and housing allowances will have “Exceptional help during the next 6 weeks of 150 euros plus 100 euros per child”. Emmanuel Macron ruled out a sustainable increase in the RSA, recalling that he wanted us to “Do not lose our fundamentals, the fight against poverty through activity and work”. “I prefer this massive exceptional aid rather than an increase in social minima”, he stressed.
Faster tests
In terms of tests, the Head of State recognized “Real difficulties”. To answer it, he announced a new strategy. The objective: “To be able to drastically reduce delays”. He indicated that this would involve new techniques, such as antigenic tests, which have been authorized by the High Authority for Health (HAS), and which promise results. “In 15 to 30 minutes”.
The “curfew”, burning memories
“We must gradually move towards a strategy that is everywhere in our country: test, alert protect. This is the key to the strategy that we must ramp up throughout the month of November and December ”, explained the President of the Republic, insisting on the fact that“We need to be able to monitor this virus much better”.
The head of state also spoke of techniques being innovated “To analyze more tests much faster with the PCR mode” and the possibility of self-testing via saliva or blood samples.
The state of health emergency again in force
A decree on the return of the state of health emergency was adopted Wednesday morning in the Council of Ministers for entry into force Friday at midnight. This regime provides a legal framework for controlling certain restrictions going as far as confinement.
The latest figures still show an overall increase in the number of people in intensive care (1,633 for a current national capacity of around 5,000 beds) and 84 deaths in 24 hours, with an overall death toll of nearly 33,000 in seven months.
