France: the government is moving towards the choice of a very gradual deconfinement

Emmanuel Macron and his Prime Minister Jean Castex at the Elysee Palace on November 17, 2020. AP - Ludovic Marin

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The health situation is improving in France and Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce new rules next week.

But the country is still "far from deconfinement", warns the government.

The executive wants to move very carefully. 

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In ministerial offices, if the horizon emerges, there is no question of talking about “deconfinement”.

The word is still taboo.

The government speaks rather of an "adaptation" of the containment.

The executive wants at all costs to avoid a relaxation of the French and the trap of a "stop and go".

The scenario of a resumption of the epidemic followed by a third confinement would be catastrophic.

The first

deconfinement was too fast

, Jean Castex recognized it.

This time, the government is delaying as much as possible until the Christmas deadline.

Non-essential businesses could reopen their doors before the holidays, but the movement of the French would remain limited. 

Before these new measures, the State summit marks its communication.

The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, will give an update this Thursday and Friday, Jean Castex will consult the political representatives and the social partners.

But the real announcements are reserved for the head of state.

Emmanuel Macron will speak in the middle of next week after a decisive new Defense Council.

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  • France

  • Coronavirus

  • Health and medicine

  • Confinement

  • Emmanuel Macron