Prevention against Covid-19 is strengthening in France. Traveling to Montpellier, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, warned, Tuesday, August 11, against the risk of a second wave, ensuring that the Covid-19 epidemic was going "in the wrong direction". 

"For about two weeks, the epidemiological situation, which we are monitoring very closely, is indeed evolving in the wrong direction," he said from the university hospital (CHU) of Montpellier in Hérault. Nearly 5,000 new cases of contamination were recorded between Friday and Monday, August 10, according to figures from Public Health France. The Directorate General of Health believes that the circulation of the virus is increasing, especially among young people.

In order to prevent a new epidemic outbreak, the government asked prefects and local elected officials to "extend as much as possible the obligation to wear a mask in public spaces," he explained, assuring that "if we do not react collectively, we expose ourselves to a high risk of epidemic resumption ".

"It will again put under tension the whole of the health chain, from city medicine to hospital services, it will also put under tension our economy, our education system, our collective and cultural life". head of government, a few hours after a defense council on the subject convened by the President of the Republic.

Assembly bans until October 30

Another preventive measure, events of more than 5,000 people will be banned until October 30, the Prime Minister said. The prefects will have the "possibility of derogating from it with the verification of the strict respect of the sanitary instructions", he added while recalling that "one cannot expect everything from the public authorities, each one exercises a share of responsibility".

Jean Castex, moreover, announced a reinforcement of the controls "on the respect of all the rules intended to prevent the propagation of the virus: respect of the barrier gestures, the wearing of the mask", in particular in the restaurants, or "of the obligations declaration of gatherings of more than 10 people ".

"We will also need to strengthen measures to ensure the effectiveness of what is called the fortnight or isolation," he continued. "Above all, avoid a backtracking, an important reconfinement, it is essential and it is within our reach", concluded the Prime Minister.

With AFP and Reuters

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