Covid-19: Paris and its suburbs under the threat of a new turn of the screw
The French capital and its inner suburbs have crossed the three thresholds which may correspond to the maximum alert zone, warned the Minister of Health Olivier Véran.
AP Photo / Michel Euler
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Paris and the departments of the inner suburbs could move into a maximum alert zone for the Covid-19 epidemic from October 5 if the progression of the epidemic is confirmed there, the government warned on Thursday.
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A week after
a contested turn of the screw
, the French government granted a reprieve to Paris and several metropolises.
However, they remain threatened with the same fate as Marseille and to switch from next week to the maximum alert zone if the progress of Covid-19 does not weaken.
The French capital and its inner suburbs have crossed the three thresholds which may correspond to the maximum alert zone, warned the Minister of Health Olivier Véran on October 1, specifying that these thresholds had been crossed a few hours earlier.
"
If that were to be confirmed, we would have no other choice but to place Paris and the inner suburbs on maximum alert and this from Monday
[October 5]", added the minister, indicating that he will re-examine the data Sunday.
Such a classification will suppose that the inhabitants of Paris and the inner suburbs temporarily reduce their social interactions drastically: "
more family celebrations, more parties, total closure of bars
".
Deterioration of the situation in Lille, Lyon, Grenoble and Toulouse
The minister also noted a deterioration of the situation in five metropolises, namely Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, Toulouse and Saint-Etienne, where the evolution of the last days remains very worrying, according to him.
If the restrictive measures already taken do not produce enough effect, the government could be led to place them in the maximum alert zone next week, he warned.
Olivier Véran, on the other hand, mentioned a start of improvement in certain cities, such as Bordeaux, Nice and Marseille, even if the levels of circulation of the virus remain, according to him, too high.
The government's decision to place Marseille and Guadeloupe in the maximum alert zone last week, with serious restrictions, including the total closure of restaurants and bars, had created strong local discontent.
The minister defended himself from any differentiated treatment between the capital and Marseille, noting that the Marseille city had exceeded the thresholds longer than Paris when it was placed on maximum alert.
(With
AFP
)
►
Read also: Covid in France: catch-up operation for the government with local elected officials
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