French President Emmanuel Macron revealed on Wednesday that the country was prohibiting domestic travel and closing schools for several weeks as a surge in COVID-19 cases has strained medical facilities across the country.
” We’re going to close nursery, primary and high schools for 3 weeks,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation, according to the Associated Press
In addition to closing schools, Macron announced that nonessential domestic travel in France will be restricted over the next month, a closure of excessive services throughout the nation and a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. regional time.
The statement by Macron comes as France faces a surge in COVID-19 cases and clients hospitalized.
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For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
In a telecasted address to the country, Macron said brand-new efforts are required as “the epidemic is accelerating.”
It’s a departure from the government’s policy in current months, which has focused on regionalized restrictions. School closures in specific had actually been seen as a really last hope.
Macron said constraints already using in the Paris area and in other places will be extended next week to the entire country, for at least one month. Under these constraints, people are enabled to go outside for leisure, but within a 10- kilometer (6 miles) radius from their homes– and without socializing. Also, most unnecessary stores are closed down.
In addition, Macron promised to speed up the vaccination project by admitting to all individuals aged 60 and over in mid-April, those aged 50 and over in mid-May and the rest of the population a month later on. Up until now, France has focused on people residing in assisted living home and those aged 70 and over, in addition to healthcare employees and individuals with major health conditions.
” If we remain joined in the coming weeks … then we will see light at the end of the tunnel,” Macron said.
He stated the school closures aimed at preventing significant interruption by advancing the date of set up Easter holidays. All kids will get online teaching next week, Macron said. Then they will go on holiday for two weeks.
Macron declared his views versus an extended closure of schools as “increasing social inequalities.” According to figures reported by the U.N. education firm UNESCO, to this date, France has closed schools for 10 weeks in total considering that the start of the pandemic– compared to 27 weeks in the U.K., 28 weeks in Germany and 47 in the United States.
A debate is set up in parliament Thursday that will deal with the infection circumstance and the new steps.
Previous nationwide lockdowns in March and October 2020 were also revealed by Macron in telecasted speeches.
After an overnight shift at an ICU in the northern French city of Amiens, Dr. Pauline Caillard explained growing varieties of clients and mounting stress on medical staff.
” It is moving very quick,” she stated. “I hope we do not have to make choices” between patients.
The renewed surge of infections has actually led to growing questions about Macron’s virus techniques. With governmental elections arranged for 2022, Macron is needing to weigh both political and health factors to consider.
An overnight across the country curfew has been in place considering that January, and all France’s dining establishments, bars, gyms, cinemas and museums have been closed considering that October.
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