French President Emmanuel Macron announces coronavirus lockdown extension until May 11

French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on multiple monitors in Paris, as he speaks from the Elysee Palace during a televised address to the nation on April 13, 2020.
French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on multiple monitors in Paris, as he speaks from the Elysee Palace during a televised address to the nation on April 13, 2020. Copyright MARTIN BUREAU/AFP
By Alasdair Sandford with AFP
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The French president has announced a month-long extension to a country-wide lockdown which began on March 17.

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Emmanuel Macron has announced a month-long extension to France's nationwide lockdown until May 11.

The French President acknowledged the sacrifices already made but said France had to go further to save lives. The lockdown began on March 17 and was first renewed two weeks later.

The period following May 11 would see a gradual easing of restrictions, Macron said, however they will continue in many walks of life until the summer at least.

The president's fourth live television address during the coronoavirus outbreak began at 20.00 CET and lasted for 25 minutes.

In his address, the French president paid tribute to the efforts made by people all over the country but said more needed to be done.

"We must therefore continue our efforts and continue to apply the rules. The more they are respected, the more they will save lives. That's why the strictest lockdown must still carry on. Until Monday 11th May. During that period it's the only way to act effectively", he said.

Key points from Macron's address:

  • From Monday, May 11 nurseries, primary and high schools will gradually reopen, but higher education will start up again "not before the summer"
  • Restaurants, cafés, hotels, cinemas and other leisure activities will remain closed after May 11, and there will be no summer festivals "before mid-July"
  • From May 11, France will be able to test anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19
  • From May 11, everyone should be able to get hold of a mask for certain situations such as using public transport, or in the most exposed professions
  • More "massive investment" promised in research and everything being done on treatments

'Complete exit plan' promised

Macron's address came amid mounting concern over the supply of medical equipment, as well as the social and economic consequences of the pandemic in France.

The main employers body Medef said it was "satisfied that the president has fixed a course to get the country running again".

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe followed up on Tuesday with a promise to introduce "a complete exit plan" from the lockdown "well before the date of 11 May".

Responding to questions in France's National Assembly, he gave more details of the plan to reopen schools when the lockdown is partially eased in four weeks' time.

"There is an imperative which is real, (but) it cannot happen at a cost of health, naturally. It must be combined with the need to preserve the health of our citizens, to guarantee the respect of sanitary rules," the prime minister said.

The decision to reopen schools from May 11 has been criticised by teachers unions. Francette Popineau of the primary school teachers union Snuipp-FSU called it "anything but serious... it could be in total contradiction with the rest", citing the continued closure of other public places such as cinemas and theatres.

"There is a strong incomprehension on the part of teachers, we have the impression of being sacrificed on the altar of the economy," she added.

Relatively encouraging figures

The move to prolong the lockdown for four weeks comes despite relatively encouraging casualty figures over the Easter weekend.

Figures published on Monday showed the virus had killed 14,967 people in France, including more than 9,000 in hospital.

For the fifth day running, the number of patients in intensive care was down slightly.

France has some of the toughest lockdown restrictions in Europe. People can only leave their homes to travel to and from work unless this can't be done from home, to buy essential supplies of food and medicine, help others in need, or get some brief exercise.

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