China News Service, January 29. According to the "Europe Times" report, on the 28th local time, French Prime Minister Castel chaired the COVID-19 meeting.
Due to the continuous spread of the mutated new crown virus in France, measures such as early curfews taken before seem to be insufficient to deal with it. Health Minister Verandin hinted that France will adopt more stringent epidemic prevention measures.
On January 16, local time, the curfew was officially extended throughout France, and the daily curfew was extended from 10 hours to 12 hours.
The picture shows the empty port of Biarritz in southwestern France.
Will France
"
close the city three times
"?
The mutated new coronavirus is spreading at a significant rate in France.
The Minister of Health Véran held a press conference on the 28th and stated that given the extremely contagious nature of these mutant viruses, "it is possible to trigger a very strong epidemic (in France)."
He said that the spread of the virus is high, and "the rate of spread is accelerating every week."
Wei Lang said that the previous night curfew had produced "tangible effects", but this effect was "fading" and the government will make a new decision this weekend.
According to Agence France-Presse, citing sources from politicians, French President Macron may announce the government's plans this weekend or next Monday, including the implementation of more stringent new restrictions and even a third "blockade."
Then it is submitted to the parliament for deliberation and voting. Once passed, new measures can be implemented.
The news also said that Macron hopes to "open up the Internet" to young people if the "blockade" measures are implemented again.
Previously, the "blockade" measures implemented by France were mainly to protect the elderly. Young people face relatively small risks, but the "blockade" has a considerable impact on the younger generation.
However, the specific implementation depends on the actual changes in the epidemic.
On the evening of December 31, 2020, local time, France imposed a strict curfew on New Year’s Eve in response to the new crown pneumonia epidemic.
The picture shows multiple police vehicles deployed around the Arc de Triomphe that night.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Yang
Multiple restriction options
Sources said that the government may also adopt measures such as curfews and foot bans on weekends, or prohibit cross-regional travel.
Regarding schools, French government spokesman Atal said that although it is possible to consider extending school holidays, the government’s goal is still to allow students to continue to return to school as much as possible. Previously, Education Minister Blanche also said that they would keep schools as much as possible. schedule.
According to reports, Castel held a series of consultations with the leaders of various party groups in the parliament, local public opinion representatives, and labor and management on the 28th and 29th, and then made a decision.
Castane, the leader of the French ruling Republic Kadima party caucus, said that the government needs to find a "balance" that can protect the French people without "closing the country."
Hospital pressure is still slowly rising
According to data from the French Public Health Agency, last week there were approximately 141,000 new cases in France, a slight increase from the 128,000 cases in the previous week, and the overall situation is stable.
However, the spread of the mutant virus raises concerns that the epidemic may rebound strongly.
At the same time, the number of hospitalizations remains high, currently exceeding 27,000, of which about 3,100 are in the intensive care unit.
Wei Lang said that the pressure in the intensive care unit has almost returned to the level of October 2020, and patients with new crowns currently account for 60% of the number of beds in the intensive care unit.
Costagliola, the research director of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and an epidemiologist, said in an epidemic report, “In my opinion, we have no time to wait and urgently need to strengthen social isolation measures.”