This Thursday, the government, around Jean Castex, clarified how the new constraints announced by Emmanuel Macron will be implemented.

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Jacques Witt / SIPA

Jean Castex accompanied by the ministers of Health, the Interior, the Economy, and Labor explained in detail the new measures announced by Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, during a press conference on Thursday.

These are valid for four weeks, but the government intends to ask parliament to extend them until the end of November.

The Prime Minister first of all recalled that despite a drop in the circulation of the virus at the end of September, there had been for ten days, a very strong and "sudden" increase in cases of coronavirus, especially among the elderly.

  • Gatherings limited to 6 people

The Prime Minister insisted on the fact that the curfew imposed in Ile-de-France and in eight metropolises was intended to "reduce the number of private interactions" during the coming weeks.

He specified that it was therefore necessary to avoid any gathering of more than six people, whether private or public.

  • Travel exceptions

Despite the curfew established from this Friday midnight, it will be possible to travel between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for work, if you have a train, to go to the pharmacy on duty, to take out a pet or again to help a loved one in a situation of dependency.

These exemptions must be justified by a certificate.

It is now available by Friday on the site www.gouvernement.fr

  • Punishments

Gérald Darmanin declared that 12,000 police and gendarmes will be specially responsible for checking traffic bans, in addition to those who already work normally at night.

A curfew fraud, or a failure to present a certificate will be sanctioned by 135 euros, as during confinement.

In the event of a repeat offense, the fine is 1,500 euros.

  • What is closing?

Jean Castex clarified that there was no change regarding the previous restrictions.

Sports halls therefore remain closed, for example.

He also indicated that “businesses”, “services” and “places open to the public” will have to close during the curfew, “with exceptions”.

Among these exemptions: health establishments, medico-social centers or restaurants offering home delivery.

In addition, 29 schools will be completely closed.

The measure concerns only a tiny part of schools, colleges, high schools.

  • What aid for impacted companies?

The government recalled that partial unemployment at 100% will be extended until December 31.

The Minister of the Economy for his part clarified that the solidarity fund would be accessible to companies from the moment they register a loss of 50% of their turnover and no longer 70% as in the past.

Furthermore, this aid is no longer capped at 60% of turnover for culture, events and hotels and restaurants.

For companies in these three sectors, which would find themselves obliged to close administratively, a total exemption from social and employer contributions is provided for the entire duration of the curfew.

Companies in other sectors will be able to benefit from it as soon as they lose 50% of their turnover.

Bruno Le Maire finally asked the French Banking Federation to postpone the deadlines for loans guaranteed by the State by one year for companies that really need them.

  • Clear rules for teleworking

"Companies are asked to define a minimum number of days of teleworking per week for positions which allow it", supported the Minister of Labor, Elisabeth Borne, speaking in particular to companies in curfew areas.

For face-to-face days, the arrival times of employees must be staggered.

These rules apply from next week.

  • Restrictions also for territories not affected by the curfew

Regarding these areas, it is the prefects who make their own decisions.

But now, all private parties such as weddings or student parties are prohibited "in multipurpose rooms or any other establishment open to the public".

In addition, all restaurants in France will have to apply the reinforced health protocol with a maximum of six people at the table and cinemas or theaters will have to observe the rule of one in two seats.

In fairs and exhibitions, the number of visitors is limited to 4 m2 per person.

  • Even more tests

Olivier Véran declared that now 91% of PCR tests were delivered in less than 48 hours and that already 5 million antigenic tests had been deployed everywhere.

Much faster than PCR tests since the results can be obtained in about twenty minutes, they can be carried out by town doctors or pharmacists.

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