Objective: revive economic activity. After a first unlocking on May 11, the French government presents, on Thursday, May 27, its plan for act II of the deconfinement. Flexibilities are expected from June 2 in view of an encouraging health situation. The measures will be decided on Thursday morning in Defense Council. Everything will be presented by Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and several ministers from 5 p.m. to follow live on France 24. 

According to a government source at AFP, the executive plans to reopen hotels, cafes and restaurants in the green zone on June 2. On the other hand, in the red zone, and therefore in Paris, they could only reopen their doors ... on July 1.

Another breath of fresh air envisaged: the reopening of parks and gardens everywhere but with the wearing of a mask in the red zone. The subject is the subject of a passing of arms in Paris between the government and the socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo, who ardently pleads for their reopening.

Health conditions are improving, with a continuous decline in the number of serious patients in intensive care. Since the beginning of March, the virus has killed 28,596 people, nearly half of whom resided in nursing homes and other establishments. "The circulation of the virus has largely slowed down," according to the first conclusions of the Medicare tracking system. 

Mandatory mask in transport

For the moment, four regions (Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté) as well as Mayotte are colored in red and their presidents are pressing to leave.

Parents are also waiting to know if 4th and 3rd graders, or even high school students, will be allowed to return to class and how the French bac exam will be organized. 

Regarding travel, Secretary of State for Tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said that the circle set for the hour at 100 km as the crow flies "may increase concentrically". But in public transport, wearing a mask will remain mandatory "as long as there is no treatment" against the Covid-19, said Wednesday the Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition Élisabeth Borne.

And sports clubs are also waiting for a green light, while several neighboring countries have reopened swimming pools, gyms and fitness clubs under certain conditions.

The urgency for the executive is to revive the economic machine, while 84% of French people say they are worried about the recession. It should largely exceed the - 8% envisaged by the government this year. In the second quarter alone, the fall in GDP could reach "around 20%", INSEE estimated on Wednesday.

With AFP

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