France is still "far from deconfinement", warns the government

France is still "far from deconfinement", warned government spokesman Gabriel Attal on Wednesday, referring to an "adaptation of containment" on December 1 rather than a loosening, in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.

"We are not at all in deconfinement, we are even far from it. We are talking about a possible adaptation of the confinement from December 1 if the health situation allows us," said Gabriel Attal, stressing the "extreme tension in hospitals "in the Council of Ministers report.

>> LIVE 

- Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Wednesday, November 18

Calling for "not to give the feeling that the crisis is behind us", he stressed that "we are still very far from having won the war against the virus", and that "we must live with the constraints necessary for its control for some time to come ".

"The president reminded us: to relax our efforts now is to take the risk of having done them for nothing", he added, while "first results and first glimmers of hope", " fruits of the mobilization of the French "," are visible ".

"A level around December 1" for small businesses

He recalled that Emmanuel Macron has committed to a point on the evolution of the epidemic and containment to be made "every two weeks".

"There will still be stages, containment will continue from December 1, including if it has to be adapted," he said.

Gabriel Attal also specified the schedule for the coming days: weekly press briefing by Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Thursday, meeting of Prime Minister Jean Castex with the leaders of parties and political groups on Friday afternoon, meeting with the social partners next week, before, also next week, a speech by Emmanuel Macron at the approach of December 1.

CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS

> Covid: where do we get infected the most?

Lessons from an American study

> Covid vaccine: what are the remaining obstacles to overcome?

> Covid: should we be concerned if the headaches persist after recovery?

> When are we in contact?

And other questions that we ask ourselves every day

> Coronavirus: the 5 mistakes not to make with your mask

About small businesses, which call, with some elected officials, for a reopening on this date, he spoke of "a level around December 1", again if the health situation continues to improve and "if a protocol sanitary is adopted in consultation ".

He also specified that as of November 16, "more than 1.2 million" of checks had been carried out in France and "152,000 infringements" noted, including nearly a third in Ile-de-France.