Coronavirus: Edouard Philippe evokes a “probable” deconfinement in stages

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French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the Minister of Health were questioned this Wednesday by the National Assembly fact-finding mission on the Covid-19. The head of government answered numerous questions from deputies who questioned and sometimes criticized the decisions of the executive.

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Surrounded by several binders, facing a large screen, Edouard Philippe answered for more than two hours the questions of the deputies confined to their homes. The Prime Minister knew he was expected, accused daily by part of the opposition of not doing enough. From the outset, he tried to clear the field. " We don't know everything, " he said.

And for the first time, Edouard Philippe evoked concretely the end of confinement and prepared the minds for a gradual exit. " It is likely that we are not moving towards a deconfinement which would be general and absolute, all at once, everywhere and for everyone ," warned the head of government.

Several hypotheses

For the time being, general confinement in France is ordered until April 15. Questioned by the president of the Assembly Richard Ferrand on the criteria which will lead to the choice of the deconfinement, Edouard Philippe qualified the question of “ frighteningly complex ”, recalling that there was “ no precedent ” nor “ proven method " A deconfinement according to the regions, according to the results of the tests, or even according to the age of the French, is being studied at the moment.

The question of going back to school, college and high school will depend on the option chosen. The date of May 4 had been advanced by the Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer, but it is only a " hypothesis ", said Edouard Philippe. It is now " acquired " that the 2020 baccalaureate cannot be organized under conditions, he added.

Edouard Philippe has also ruled out the possibility of “ mandatory ” digital tracing of individuals to fight against the coronavirus epidemic. A “ voluntary engagement ” is however possible.

One and a half billion masks ordered

This hearing by interposed screens went smoothly. Difficult indeed to get angry at a distance. " Mr. Prime Minister, it is important that you have addressed the issue of deconfinement on which we have been asking you for several days, " reacted the head of La France rebellious Jean-Luc Mélenchon, yet one of the most critical opponents to the government.

During this same hearing, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran indicated that France had ordered " more than a billion and a half of masks in France and abroad " to meet the needs linked to the epidemic. " The air bridge set up between France and China made it possible to import 8.5 million masks on Monday, we expect an additional 13 million next week ," he said.

Next week, the Ministers of Justice and the Interior will also be heard. Edouard Philippe, he will continue his transparency operation this Thursday evening during a special program on television.

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• France
• Edouard Philippe
• Coronavirus

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