- For an hour, the Prime Minister detailed the government's plan to gradually lift the containment from May 11.
- Edouard Philippe warned that this date could be called into question if the indicators on the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic are not good.
- This deconfinement will be very gradual, and differentiated according to the departments more or less affected. It will be accompanied by a screening policy for people showing symptoms of the virus, with 700,000 virological tests per week, starting on May 11.
"So this is the moment when we have to tell France how our life will resume." The Prime Minister spoke on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Assembly Chamber in Paris to present the plan drawn up by the government to organize the lifting of the containment introduced on March 17 to curb the epidemic of coronavirus. . We must "act gradually, adapt locally" deconfinement, said Edouard Philippe, who spoke for an hour. 20 Minutes summarizes the announcements made by the head of government.
Be careful about the date of May 11
Edouard Philippe first stressed that the containment introduced on March 17 had borne fruit, triggering a decline in the coronavirus epidemic, and making it possible to avoid 60,000 deaths in France, according to a study (while 23,293 people died from Covid-19 to April 27, according to the government).
"A prolonged confinement beyond what is necessary would have serious consequences for the Nation", economic and social, he warned, referring to "the risk of the collapse" of the country. But "the risk of a second wave is a serious risk, it requires proceeding with caution, gradually, surely". He also questioned the date of May 11, warning that "if the indicators are not there, we will not deconfinate".
Differentiated deconfinement
The deconfinement will be differentiated between the “green” departments, where it will be applied widely, and “red”, where it will take a more strict form. 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 tight" and "the local system of tests and detection of contact cases may not be sufficiently ready, "said the Prime Minister.
"Better" to wear a mask
It is "preferable" in "many circumstances" to "wear a mask". But it will not be compulsory, except in public transport and college.
From May 11, there will be "enough in the country to meet the needs." "Gradually, we will arrive at a classic situation, where the French can without risk of shortage, get masks for the general public in all shops," assured Edouard Philippe, inviting companies "to ensure that their employees are equipped" and the individuals "to make masks for themselves".
700,000 tests per week
"Protect, test, isolate" is the government's triptych. To detect the cases of Covid-19, it relies on the hypotheses of scientists counting on 3,000 people contaminated every day. He set the need for 700,000 virological tests per week, starting on May 11.
Edouard Philippe plans to have people with symptoms tested massively and set up "brigades" in each department to identify their contacts. Positive people will be invited to isolate themselves at home, which will confine the entire home for 14 days, or in a place made available, including requisitioned hotels.
A gradual return to school, college (and high school?)
The Prime Minister presented the timetable for the reopening of educational establishments. Children will be able to return to nursery or primary school from May 11, on a voluntary basis and within the limit of 25 students per class. On the other hand, the colleges will not be reopened until May 18, and only in departments little affected by the epidemic, starting with the 6th and 5th grades.
"We will decide at the end of May if we can reopen the lycées, starting with the professional lycées, at the beginning of June", he declared, while the pupils passing a general, technological and professional bac will be evaluated this year only via the control continued. As for the wearing of the mask, it will not be compulsory in kindergarten, nor in crèche, but compulsory in middle school, and the State will provide masks to secondary school students if necessary.
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 professionals in early childhood.
Telecommuting for business
Edouard Philippe asked companies "insistently" to maintain telework as much as possible. "No one is unaware of the constraints, but this must continue to limit the use of public transport and to limit contacts more generally."
Gradual lifting for shops
All shops, except cafes and restaurants, will be able to reopen as of May 11 but with health protection measures, in particular the wearing of a mask, recommended for staff and customers if distancing is impossible.
However, the prefects will be able to keep shopping centers over 40,000 m2 closed. For cafes and restaurants, the government will rule "late May" to decide if they reopen after June 2, the Prime Minister announced. In addition, a merchant may prohibit people not wearing a mask from entering their premises.
Cultural places remain closed, and sport seasons stopped
Large museums, cinemas, concert halls and theaters will remain closed after May 11, unlike media libraries, libraries and small museums that may reopen.
In terms of sport, "the 2019-2020 season of professional sports, especially that of football, cannot resume."
Transportation
To limit contamination in public transport, the government wants to reduce their capacity. “This means, for example, that the capacity of the Paris metro will be (…) drastically reduced compared to its normal capacity. That it will be necessary (…) to condemn one seat out of two, to favor, by markings on the ground, the good distribution on the quays, to prepare to limit the flows in case of crowds, ”said the Prime Minister.
As of May 11, "70% of the RATP offer will be available," said Edouard Philippe, calling on the French who can telecommute, or spread their schedules, to avoid taking public transport, in addition to the hours of point. Wearing a mask will be compulsory.
In addition, interdepartmental or interregional travel will be reduced "solely to compelling professional or family reasons, for obvious reasons of limiting the circulation of the virus". "We will continue to reduce the offer, to require a compulsory reservation on all trains - TGV or not -, to discourage travel between departments", he said, specifying in particular that the French will not have to leave their department at the Ascension Bridge.
You can move from May 11 without certificate, except "for trips more than 100 km from home, which will only be possible for a compelling reason, family or professional".
Prohibition of certain gatherings
All "events that bring together more than 5,000 participants" cannot "be held before September". This measure relates to “major sporting and cultural events, in particular festivals, major trade fairs, all events which bring together more than 5,000 participants and are therefore the subject of a declaration at the prefecture and must be organized for a long time "advance", detailed the Prime Minister.
"Meetings organized on public roads or in private places will be limited to 10 people," he added. City halls are invited to postpone weddings, and religious ceremonies are limited to 20 people.
As for the beaches, they will remain "inaccessible to the public at least until June 1", while the parks and gardens "will only be able to open in the departments where the virus does not circulate actively".
Postponement of the debate on the sensitive subject of tracing
On the sensitive project of tracing StopCovid mobile data, "the debate is premature" but when the application "will work and before its implementation, we will organize a specific debate, followed by a specific vote", announced Edouard Philippe.
After this first phase of deconfinement on May 11, a new stage will open on June 2 for three weeks, with new measures which will depend on the level of the epidemic.
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- National Assembly
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- Deconfinement
- Edouard Philippe
- Confinement