The fifth wave of Covid-19 is hitting Europe hard, particularly Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. France is, for now, relatively spared. However, in light of the rising cases in other countries, the government is beginning to explore its options. And, unfortunately, a new lockdown is not impossible.
The data from Public Health France on Sunday, November 14, shows 12,496 new Covid-19 cases in the country, but more notably, a test positivity rate that is increasing to 3.4% over 7 days. Though France is far from the several tens of thousands of new daily cases seen in some other European countries, the situation is worsening.
Gabriel Attal, the government spokesperson, has confirmed that a re-lockdown is not ruled out, without providing further details: “One of the lessons I’ve learned as the government spokesperson after 18 months of crisis is to never rule anything out on principle.”
In this situation, it is therefore logical that the French government is starting to anticipate. However, Gabriel Attal sought to reassure: “Today, a re-lockdown is absolutely not being considered in our country,” he stated.
This option of a fourth lockdown, due to its impact on the economy, is moreover the one that the government should take only as a last resort. The goal: “do everything to avoid a new lockdown.”
But the message is clear: a fourth lockdown of the French population is indeed possible if the situation demands it.
