Paris (AFP)

As Covid-19 indicators turn red, the National Assembly must vote on Thursday on the tools in the hands of the government for the coming months, from restaurant closures to travel restrictions, as an extension of a controversial regime .

The Minister of Health Olivier Véran must for his part hold his weekly update on the epidemic at 6:00 p.m., with a new turn of the screw looming.

"The government must be able to take the necessary additional measures depending on the evolution of the epidemic", warned Emmanuel Macron.

And this, by relying on the tools of the regime of exit from the state of health emergency, a transition regime in force since July and which should be extended until the end of March.

Entered into force on March 24, this then newly created state of emergency, which allows certain public freedoms to be restricted, was maintained until July 10.

Shortly before this date, Parliament gave the green light to a bill organizing the exit from this regime, subject to a series of restrictions still possible: on the movement of people, reception of the public in certain establishments or even gatherings. .

It was then expected that these restrictions would end at the end of October.

Alas, faced with the acceleration of contaminations, the government imposed since Monday and for two weeks in eleven cities including Paris and Lyon the closure of sports halls and at 10 p.m. of bars, and a total closure of bars and restaurants in Aix- Marseille and Guadeloupe.

These latter areas are on "maximum alert", the last level before the reestablishment of the state of health emergency.

Affected economic sectors are on alert, and local elected officials are stiffening.

Thus the bill under study "does not arouse enthusiasm", euphemized Mr. Véran in committee, calling on parliamentarians to "courage" and "responsibility".

- "Blank check" -

The text of two articles, the subject of a hundred amendments, should be adopted at the end of the day without the voices of the right and the left, as in July.

"We share the concern of our fellow citizens, of the government" in the health crisis, but six months of extension of this "partly exceptional right", "it is no", affirms Philippe Gosselin on behalf of LR.

He notes that the period includes the departmental and regional elections in March and is concerned about the "difficulties" of the upcoming campaign.

Same prejudices on the left: the rebels consider the transitional regime "not necessary".

The Communists warn against a "risk of habituation" to the "exorbitant powers which it gives to the executive and administrative power".

The Socialists will seek them to reduce this extension over time.

Even the Defender of Rights, Claire Hédon, warned of the risk of "disproportionate infringement" of rights and freedoms.

On several benches, deputies refuse to give a "blank check" to the executive and call for reinforced parliamentary control.

On the side of the majority, some also plead for easing.

Sacha Houlié (LREM) had an amendment adopted unanimously in committee which would increase the number of spectators in the stadiums depending on the local health situation and the total number of seats offered.

And elected officials who support the discotheque sector, which have been closed since March, will be mobilized on Thursday.

After the vote of the National Assembly, it will quickly be the turn of the Senate, particularly scrupulous about freedoms, to examine the extension text.

A new bill on the subject is already emerging by January.

The government is in fact working on a “long-term health emergency management system”, instead of these “intermediate meetings for the extension of transitional measures” before Parliament.

© 2020 AFP