Covid-19: what to learn from Edouard Philippe's deconfinement plan for after May 11?

After May 11 will not be synonymous with a return to normal life. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe laid the outlines, Tuesday, April 28, of a deconfinement plan which notably provides for a limitation of traffic on French territory, new practices of social distancing in public transport, and a gradual return to school. The world of culture and sport will remain upset at least until September.

These announcements, which come after more than 40 days of confinement linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, were to be submitted to the vote of the National Assembly at the end of the afternoon.

Wearing a mandatory mask in transport

There would be "enough masks in the country to meet the needs from May 11," first promised Édouard Philippe during his speech to the deputies.

It was "preferable" to wear it in "many circumstances", but masks on the other hand will be mandatory in public transport, for professionals in early childhood, as well as for students from college. For the latter, it will be provided to those "who have failed to obtain it".

On the contrary, masks will be prohibited for children under 3 years old and in kindergarten, because of the risks of misuse for the youngest, which could prove dangerous. 

Test, identify and isolate Covid-19 patients

As for the tests, the objective is to "carry out at least 700,000 virological tests per week by May 11", which will be covered 100% by health insurance, said the Prime Minister.

"As soon as a person has been tested positive, we will initiate a work of identification and testing of all those, symptomatic or not, who have had close contact with him. All these cases contacts will be tested and will be invited to s 'isolate, given the uncertainties about the duration of incubation ", explained Edouard Philippe.

Hotels will be requisitioned to house sick people to be isolated if this is not possible in their homes, said the Prime Minister.

Color coded deconfinement according to departments

The deconfinement will be differentiated on May 11 between the departments "green", where it will be applied widely, and "red", where it will take a more strict form, announced Tuesday Edouard Philippe.

For this, three criteria will be studied on May 7 to determine in which department "the circulation of the virus remains active", "hospital capacities in intensive care remain tense" and "the local system of tests and detection of contact cases is not sufficient ready, "said the Prime Minister before the deputies.

For those over 65, throughout France, Édouard Philippe asks to continue limiting contacts and outings, including after May 11.

Limitation of travel between departments

According to Édouard Philippe, it will be possible to circulate without certificate from May 11, except "for trips more than 100 km from home, which will only be possible for a compelling, family or professional reason".

Public transport between the regions will be reduced in order to ensure compliance with this last health directive.

Fewer trains, one seat in two in the metro

Wearing a mask will be compulsory from May 11 on public transport.

Interregional transport will be reduced to the maximum and a compulsory reservation will be required on all trains (TGV and others).

In the Paris metro, the capacity will be "drastically reduced compared to its normal capacity" for at least three weeks from May 11. In order to respect social distancing, Édouard Philippe demands that one seat in two be condemned. He asked "to favor, by markings on the ground the good distribution on the quays, to prepare to limit the flows in the event of crowd".

Continuation of telework to the fullest

The prime minister on Tuesday urged businesses to maintain telework "wherever possible, at least in the next three weeks".

Shops reopen ... except restaurants

The reopening of businesses was announced for May 11. Wearing a mask is highly recommended for staff and customers. The prefects will nevertheless be able to keep shopping centers over 40,000 m2 closed.

However, the coffee shops will remain closed. For the latter, the government will make a decision in late May, whether they can open after June 2, said the Prime Minister.

Reopening of kindergartens and "reception priorities" in crèche

Regarding the return to school for children, the government "proposes a very gradual reopening" of nursery and elementary schools from May 11, "everywhere on the territory, and on a voluntary basis".

The crèches will also reopen from May 11, up to a maximum of ten children per space and with the wearing of a mandatory mask for early childhood professionals. This reduction in capacity poses "the question of reception priorities", raised the head of government, asking managers to favor working couples who cannot telework and single-parent families, as well as the children of caregivers and teachers.

As for the colleges, they will be able to reopen from May 18, "but only in the departments where the circulation of the virus is very weak", specified Édouard Philippe. "We could consider opening the colleges, starting with the 6th and the 5th," he added.

Finally, the decision to reopen the lycées for the beginning of June would be taken at the end of May.

Weddings, burials, ceremonies remain limited

The government limits gatherings "to 10 people" from May 11.

"The funeral ceremonies will obviously remain authorized", but "as today within the limit of 20 people," said the Prime Minister. The cemeteries will reopen on May 11.

Places of worship may remain open, said Edouard Philippe, but religious ceremonies, such as weddings and baptisms cannot take place "before June 2". It is better that the marriages be postponed, he asked.

Culture, sports and leisure turned upside down 

"All events that bring together more than 5,000 participants" cannot "be held before September," said Edouard Philippe. Thus, major sporting and cultural events, in particular festivals, and major trade fairs will have to be canceled or postponed.

Hit hard by the consequences of this health crisis, cinemas, theaters, large museums and concert halls will remain closed after May 11, unlike media libraries, libraries and small museums which may reopen.

In the sports field, Édouard Philippe mentioned the case of the 2019-2020 season of professional sports, in particular that of football, which "will not be able to resume".

Finally, the beaches, closed since the beginning of containment, will remain "inaccessible to the public at least until June 1," said the Prime Minister.

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