Paris (AFP)

Edouard Philippe confirmed Thursday that the deconfinement would begin Monday, May 11, but that it will be "progressive" and accompanied by many restrictions and cautions, in a France "cut in two" between departments classified in green or red.

"The progressive lifting of containment can be started this Monday, May 11", in view of the health situation, the Prime Minister immediately announced from the hotel in Matignon, after almost two months of complete foreclosure of the country.

However, he warned that France was "cut in two" according to health situations between "green" and "red" departments, and called for the strict maintenance of protective gestures because "we cannot be clever with the virus". A new step point will be made on June 2, in order to "move to a new phase" of deconfinement or, in the event of "poor results", "to draw the consequences".

This particularly concerns the 12 million inhabitants of Ile-de-France, where the number of cases "remains higher than expected".

In these red departments, "deconfinement is possible" from May 11 but "with certain restrictions: no opening of colleges, or parks and gardens," added the head of government. A return to class for students in grades 6 and 5 is planned, however, from May 18 in departments classified as "green".

Mr. Philippe and the ministers surrounding him have multiplied the warnings in order to avoid a resurgence of contamination, thus illustrating the progress of the country "on a crest line", dixit the Prime Minister. "The gradual deconfinement should not be the mark of a decline in our vigilance," insisted the head of government, invoking the spirit of "responsibility" of the French.

-The Ehpad remain confined-

"There will be no compulsory confinement for vulnerable people after May 11," said Edouard Philippe. But he asked people "elderly or sick with pathologies such as obesity, diabetes" or suffering from "respiratory failure" to "keep as far as possible very strict rules of caution", like "those of the two last months".

And there will be no deconfinement in the Ehpad on May 11, said the Minister of Health Olivier Véran.

The main point of attention concerns the return to school: one million pupils from kindergartens and up to CM2 will be welcomed as of next week by some 130,000 teachers, announced Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer.

In parallel, about 400,000 companies will reopen Monday, representing 875,000 employees, said Minister Bruno Le Maire. And shopping centers over 40,000 m² will be able to reopen, except in Ile-de-France.

This resumption of activity will involve measures in transport: the minister Elisabeth Borne confirmed that the wearing of the mask would be compulsory for passengers from 11 years old, under penalty of a fine of 135 euros. In Ile-de-France, access to public transport will also be "reserved during peak hours for people with a certificate from their employer or with a compelling reason to travel," she added.

A new certificate will also be required for trips of more than 100 km, said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. Restrictions on borders with European countries will still be underway "until June 15 at least", he added, adding that the closure was maintained with the other countries.

Finally, the beaches and lakes will be made accessible on a case-by-case basis, upon decision of the prefects.

© 2020 AFP