During a televised address on Tuesday, November 24, Emmanuel Macron detailed the upcoming procedures for easing lockdown measures. The President announced a three-step plan, with the first phase starting on November 28.
Even though France has just surpassed the sadly symbolic mark of 50,000 COVID-19 related deaths, the number of new patients with COVID-19 continues to decrease each day.
This improvement in health indicators has convinced Emmanuel Macron to initiate a gradual easing of pandemic control measures, which will come into effect this weekend and extend until the end of January.
To “do everything to avoid a third wave” and “a third lockdown,” the President called for “increased vigilance”: “let’s protect our loved ones,” “wear masks, even at home,” “ensure we’re not too many,” he urged. “Each of us holds part of the solution in our hands.”
The target remains 5,000 new cases per day. This number will guide the validation of the measures taken with this aim in view.
FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO DECEMBER 15
● Shops will be allowed to open. This includes hair salons, bookstores, libraries, etc. However, they must close by 9 PM.
● Enhanced health protocol in shops: the occupancy limit will change from one person per 4 m² to one person per 8 m², and opening hours will be extended.
● Resumption of religious services this weekend “strictly limited to 30 people.”
● Eased travel certificate: the permitted duration and radius will be extended to 20 kilometers and 3 hours.
● “Confinement” in the strict sense maintained throughout the territory.
● Teleworking remains mandatory for businesses whenever possible.
● Resumption of outdoor extracurricular activities.
● Monitoring “over time” of psychological effects.
FROM DECEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 20
● End of lockdown, replaced by a curfew from 9 PM to 7 AM. An exception to the curfew on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, although family gatherings are strongly discouraged.
● End of daytime exit certificates.
● Interregional travel allowed.
● The culture sector resumes almost normal activity. Museums, theaters, and cinemas will, however, need to respect curfew hours.
● Almost “impossible” to open ski resorts for the holidays. The authorities believe it would be better to envisage reopening them in January. Ski resorts will have a definitive decision in a few days, following consultations.
● Resumption of indoor extracurricular activities.
“Indoor extracurricular activities for children’s care during the holidays will be authorized again, with strict rules,” indicated the President.
STARTING JANUARY 20
● Restaurants, cafes, and gyms authorized to open.
● Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.
● Return to in-person classes in high schools. A strict health protocol will still apply in institutions.
● Universities will reopen in early February.
● Still no large festive events in closed settings.
● Curfew eased, reduced hours.
● “Do everything to avoid a third wave” and a “third lockdown.”
