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Macron announces new lockdown measures to mitigate spread of COVID-19

‘We tried to push back this day for as long as possible ,’ Macron said

Virus Outbreak France French President Emmanuel Macron | AP

French President Emmanuel Macron, announced a limited lockdown across France, starting April 3. The lockdown is expected to last for four weeks. The lockdown was announced in light of a surge in COVID-19 numbers, AFP reported.

The number of patients in intensive care due to COVID-19 on Tuesday surpassed 5,000. On Wednesday, France reported 59,038 new cases of coronavirus, a record high for the nation. The lockdown would mean that schools and daycare centres would remain shut. “We gained precious weeks of liberty, weeks of learning for our children, we allowed hundreds of thousands of workers to keep their head above water, without losing control of the epidemic,” Macron said. He also said, “We tried to push back this day for as long as possible – but unfortunately it has now arrived.”

“From Saturday evening and for a period of four weeks, travel will be limited everywhere in France to a radius of 10 km from home for daily outings. During curfew hours from 7 pm to 6 am, or for trips exceeding 10 kilometres, a certificate will be required,” he said.  

Macron also said that the coronavirus vaccine is a way to emerge out of the pandemic. Macron said that anyone above the age of 60 would be able to get a vaccine from April 16 and anyone above age 50 could get a jab from May 15. Non-essential stores would be closed during the lockdown. On Wednesday, France’s total coronavirus death toll reached 95,337.

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