"We can still give ourselves a chance to avoid confinement," Prime Minister Jean Castex assured Friday, January 29, during a speech from the Elysee Palace at the end of a Defense Council.

"The question of containment arises legitimately given these data", due to a "strong risk of acceleration" of the epidemic, recognized the head of government, stressing that "the next few days will be decisive "to take possible further measures.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister announced that France would close its borders to countries outside the European Union from Sunday, "unless there is a compelling reason", in order to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.

"Any entry into France and any exit from our territory to or from a country outside the European Union will be prohibited, unless there is a compelling reason, from midnight Sunday," he declared.

Closure of shopping centers

The Prime Minister also specified that a negative PCR test would be required for any entry into France from a country of the European Union, "with the exception of cross-border workers".

This measure, already in force since last Sunday for maritime and air transport, must therefore be extended to land transport.

Finally, "all trips to and from all our overseas territories will also now be subject to the production of compelling reasons from this Sunday," added the head of government in a brief televised address.  

Regarding measures affecting the daily life of the French, Jean Castex announced the closure as of this Sunday of non-food shopping centers of more than 20,000 m2, "that is to say those which promote the most brewing".

In addition, from Monday, attendance gauges "will be strengthened in all supermarkets," he added.

The Prime Minister finally announced the strengthening of police checks.

"The police and gendarmes will be mobilized to control the non-respect of the curfew, the organization of clandestine parties and the illegal opening of restaurants in increased proportions", he said, specifying that " particular firmness instruction will be applied for those who defraud the rules in force ".

With AFP

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