A third confinement will concern 16 departments, or a third of the population, from Saturday.

Yet this hybrid measure has not been approved by the whole government.

Some doubt its applicability and fear that it will deal a further blow to the country's economy. 

After months of trying to postpone the reconfinement, the executive decided to put 16 departments under cover: one in three French people find themselves confined.

But this decision shook the government, between supporters of strict measures and those denouncing its staggering cost to the economy.

Thursday evening, at the end of Jean Castex's press conference, Olivier Véran was delighted to see his recommendations followed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"His line has won" brags one of his relatives.

For weeks, the Minister of Health had pleaded for stronger measures.

Thursday's arbitration proves him right.

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"How is that going to curb the virus?"

If this line was supported by the Prime Minister, it was not shared by the whole government.

"The hostos are overflowing, we didn't really have a choice," explains a member of the cabinet.

Yet some have seen red: this new confinement will cost "1.2 billion more per month" according to the services of the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire.

"How is that going to slow down the virus?", An adviser in Bercy is carried away, who is already worried about the social acceptance of these restrictions.

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For its part, the Elysee is trying to play down.

The President's entourage refutes the idea that Emmanuel Macron has changed his strategy.

"No bet has been lost ..." says one of his relatives.

Thursday evening, the entourage of the President even liked to bring out the models of the Scientific Council of January.

The current levels of contamination would be identical to forecasts after two months of confinement, proof according to the Élysée that the strategy of holding out as long as possible was the right one.