Deconfinement on May 11: what to remember from the speech of Edouard Philippe

Four days before the May 11 deadline, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe unveiled, Thursday, May 7, the last details of the first phase of deconfinement of the country, almost stopped for almost two months, due to the pandemic from Covid-19.

Surrounded by the main ministers concerned, including those of Health, Economy and Transport, Édouard Philippe confirmed the date of May 11 across the country, under certain conditions. The Head of Government then addressed several themes and subjects which have been the subject of debate in recent days.

"In view of the health results recorded in recent days, the gradual lifting of confinement can be started this Monday, May 11," announced Edouard Philippe.

The President of the Republic has confirmed this: in view of the health results of the past few days, the gradual lifting of confinement can be started this Monday, May 11. It is a new step in the fight against the epidemic and good news for France & the French.

"The good news is that we are able to validate deconfinement throughout the metropolitan territory," he added. The less good news is that some departments have worse results than hoped. "

Towards a reopening of high schools, cafes, restaurants in early June?

"In most of the country, we have managed to slow down the epidemic wave. We have found room for maneuver in the hospital and we are ready for the tests. This is called the 'green' departments" , explained Edouard Philippe. "If they stay green for the next three weeks, we can, at the very beginning of June, consider a new stage of deconfinement. With perhaps the opening of high schools, cafes, restaurants. Of course, as far as sanitary conditions allow. "

And to continue: "In other departments, where the coronavirus is still actively circulating and where the hospital is still in high tension [...], deconfinement is possible there with certain restrictions". The Prime Minister indicates that in these departments, the colleges, parks and gardens will remain closed. Conversely, a return to class for pupils in grades 6 and 5 is envisaged from May 18 in the green departments.

"In Île-de-France, the number of cases is surely decreasing, slowly, but it remains high, higher than what we hoped. Given the trend which remains well oriented, we can deconfinate."

"Vulnerable people" called for vigilance

The Prime Minister clarified that "vulnerable people" would not be imposed "compulsory deconfinement", while calling on them to practice "very strict rules of prudence".

"I want to say to all those who know they are vulnerable, either because of their age or because of pathologies [...]: continue for your safety and that of others to observe, as far as possible, on a voluntary basis, the very strict rules of prudence, which resemble those of the past two months, underlined Édouard Philippe. We trust people who know they are vulnerable to protect themselves. It is not a question of ordering. "

On public transport, the French Prime Minister said that the government was going to "impose very strict rules" on public transport in Paris and in the departments of the region, and that "additional measures" could be taken if the situation did not improve.

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