Coronavirus in France: schools closed, municipal ones maintained

Emmanuel Macron during his televised address on Thursday March 12 at the Élysée Palace. Screenshot / France 24

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French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Thursday evening on television to reassure the French and announce new measures to curb the epidemic of coronavirus in the territory.

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In an address to the French, this Thursday evening March 12, Emmanuel Macron announced new measures to " slow down " the advance of the coronavirus epidemic and " protect " the most fragile people

The most important of these is the announcement of the closure of nurseries, schools and universities from Monday, March 16, and this " until further notice ".

The French president also asked " all people over 70, those suffering from chronic illnesses, disabilities, to stay at home. "

Regarding the municipal elections, the holding of which seemed to be compromised, the head of state declared that " there was nothing [to prevent ] the French, even the most vulnerable, going to the polls ". The first ballot will therefore take place this Sunday. A decision made, according to Emmanuel Macron, following a meeting with several specialists at the Palais de l'Elysée.

Before addressing the French at 8 p.m., the President assembled the Scientific Council mobilized to deal with the Coronavirus. Our reaction can only be done with the expertise of specialists who are the most legitimate to assess the situation. pic.twitter.com/hoyvKclkbi

Élysée (@Elysee) March 12, 2020

The president also expressed, from the start of his speech, his " thoughts " towards those affected by the coronavirus and expressed " the nation's gratitude for people in white coats ", the medical personnel mobilized since the start of the crisis and which has been able to “ limit ” its scale.

2281 cases and 48 deaths

Wednesday evening, Jérôme Salomon, the director general of Health, had warned that the virus was circulating " more and more actively in more and more territories ".

The latest count reports 2,281 cases, including 105 serious and 48 deaths, 15 more in 24 hours and nearly 500 new infections. Around the world, to date, more than 130,000 people have been infected, according to a count by Agance France-Presse.

► Read also: Coronavirus: state of the pandemic in the world

The health emergency is coupled with an economic alert: the stock markets experienced a historic debacle on Thursday. That of Paris experienced the largest drop in its history, closing at -12.3%. Milan, meanwhile, posted a decline of 16.9% after the worst session since the creation of the star index FTSE Mib in 1998.

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  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Coronavirus
  • France
  • Health and Medicine

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