Coronavirus: what quarantine for those who enter France?

Text by: Philippe Lecaplain

Not surprisingly, the Council of Ministers extended the state of health emergency that came into effect on March 24. It is continued because its lifting on May 23 “would be premature”, “the risks of epidemic recovery” being “proven in the event of a sudden interruption of the measures in progress”, explains the government. Among the measures announced, there are those of quarantine and isolation for those who enter France.

Publicity

There are two hypotheses. The person has no known symptoms. As a precaution, she should observe fourteen. This confinement will be organized "  with the means of the State  ". Olivier Véran announces that the conditions "  of duration, place, health monitoring, restrictions on outings  " will be decided "  after advice from the council of scientists  ". A decree must still specify all this.

Another scenario, people diagnosed positive for coronavirus on medical observation. These will be placed in solitary confinement for 14 days. Be careful, warns the government, "  there may be provision for coercive measures if they refuse  ". However, recalcitrants may appeal to the liberties and detention judge "  who will rule within 72 hours  ". The judge may also self-seize. At most, the duration of the isolation cannot exceed one month.

Who is concerned?

The Minister of Health spoke of "  French people going abroad  " and "  who wish to return  ". But are they the only ones? To be sure, we asked Matignon for details. Here is his answer: "  This may apply to all people who arrive after staying in an area where the infection is circulating  ."

Given that the whole world is affected, everything suggests that all those arriving in France will be affected.

For infected patients who already live in France, "  we make the choice of the responsibility of the French  ", says the Minister of Health while his colleague from the Interior calls for "good citizenship". The government has therefore not adopted any mechanism to impose isolation on someone who is sick.

Our selection on the coronavirus

• Listen to our daily chronicle  Coronavirus info

• The practical questions  :
→  What is known about the mode of contagion
→  disparities and inequalities in coronaviruses: what to remember
→  What outcomes for clinical trials?
→  A vaccine, the only solution to stem the pandemic?
→  How to make a mask and use it well

• Our series  : "  The response, country by country  "

• Each evening, find the State of the world and Africa facing the pandemic

• See also the files of RFI Savoirs on Covid-19:
→  Birth of a pandemic
→  Everyday life put to the test
→  The history of epidemics
→  Science facing Covid-19
→  Geopolitical consequences

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Coronavirus
• Tour de France 2014

On the same subject

Coronavirus in France: Government Extends State of Health Emergency

Coronavirus: in the red, SNCF requests an assistance plan