(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) France decides to extend the curfew period in 15 provinces
China News Agency, Paris, January 1 (Reporter Li Yang) The French government decided on the 1st to extend the curfew period in 15 provinces to curb the spread of the new crown virus.
At the same time, officials began investigating a New Year's Eve carnival in Brittany, northwestern France, where at least 2,500 people participated.
French government spokesman Attar said that day, in order to curb the spread of the virus, the government has strengthened control measures and extended the curfew period in 15 provinces including Alpes-Maritimes, Doubs and Jura.
The start time of curfews in these 15 provinces was advanced from 8 pm to 6 pm.
The curfew in 15 provinces began at 6 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m. the next day. The daily curfew period was extended from 10 hours to 12 hours.
The measure will officially take effect on the 2nd.
Attar said that after the curfew period has been extended in 15 provinces, people’s travel regulations remain unchanged, and travel certificates are still required to go out during the curfew period.
Attar said that the speed of the spread of the new coronavirus varies across France.
It is understood that the 15 provinces that extended the curfew period are mainly concentrated in the eastern part of France, which has higher levels of virus infection than other parts of France.
Attar also confirmed that it is "impossible" to reopen cultural venues on the 7th of this month.
He said that the French Ministry of Culture is in consultation with relevant departments to determine a timetable for the restoration of new cultural venues.
Cultural venues, such as museums, theaters, and cinemas, have been temporarily closed since the second French “closure” on October 30 last year.
French officials reported on the 1st that a New Year’s Eve carnival in violation of the curfew had taken place in the town of Lieron in the Brittany region. A preliminary count of at least 2500 people participated.
Agence France-Presse reported that the carnival was held in a warehouse of a local storage company, with participants from all over France, as well as British and Spanish participation.
The local police tried to stop the carnival and clashed with participants.
Some participants admitted that very few people observe social distancing during the event.
The exposure of the carnival has attracted the attention of all walks of life in France, and raised concerns that large-scale gatherings in violation of the curfew may lead to the spread of the virus.
French officials have launched related investigations into illegal organization of carnivals and violence against police enforcement.
French Minister of the Interior Dalmanin held a meeting on the evening of the 1st to discuss how to deal with related incidents.
The epidemic data released by the French Ministry of Health that night showed that there were 19,348 newly confirmed cases in France on the 1st, and a total of 2,639,773 confirmed cases. The number of deaths from new coronary pneumonia in France is now 64,765, with 133 new deaths. (Finish)