Paris (AFP)
Prime Minister Jean Castex disputed on Friday that the health situation in France is "serious" while calling for "more vigilance", during an interview at 8 pm in France 2.
"We must be vigilant. (We are not) in a serious situation, but it is a situation which calls for more vigilance," said the head of government, while the reproduction rate of the virus is increasing in several regions, including Brittany.
Asked about a possible reconfiguration in France, like that decreed since Friday in Barcelona, the Prime Minister argued that "the figures in Barcelona are much more degraded than what we observe" in France, even if there has "undoubtedly had a relaxation".
"But we do not know what will be in three weeks and therefore our role is to do prevention by testing more and emphasizing the pedagogy with our fellow citizens", he added, acknowledging that the deadlines for obtaining an appointment in some laboratories to perform a test had lengthened. "It seems that the phenomenon is a little worse these days," he agreed, but recalling that the Minister of Health Olivier Véran had received representatives of the laboratories during the day.
Jean Castex also indicated that saliva tests were under development while virological tests are currently only done by nasal swab.
He also recalled that the wearing of the mask would be compulsory in closed public places, such as shops and covered markets, from next week, adding that the decree which will come into force in this sense would provide "sanctions" , without further details.
Regarding air travel, the Prime Minister wanted tests to be compulsory "from the country (foreign) and that, possibly, we can reinforce on arrival in case a person coming from these countries could not be tested because in some countries, compared to us, the test and prevention device is much weaker. "
"We are already strengthening the mechanisms in ports and airports," he added.
© 2020 AFP