Jean-Rémi Baudot 5:25 p.m., August 25, 2021, modified at 5:29 p.m., August 25, 2021

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal announced Wednesday a postponement of the start of the school year in the West Indies because of the seriousness of the health situation.

The latter continues to punctuate the government agenda, despite the executive's will to position itself on other subjects.

DECRYPTION

For the second year in a row, the Covid-19 is disrupting the return to school for both students and the government.

On Wednesday, at the exit of the Council of Ministers, the government spokesperson announced a postponement of the return of students to classes in several territories of the Antilles: in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, as well as in the part of Guyana in the red zone, the pupils will not return on their way to school on September 2, as planned, but eleven days later, on September 13.

A still alarming situation in the West Indies

The members of the government have "at length" looked at "the dramatic situation in several overseas territories, in the West Indies and in French Polynesia, where under-vaccination is wreaking havoc," the spokesperson explained.

Gabriel Attal also added that the state of health emergency would be extended "until November 15 in the West Indies, Guyana and French Polynesia", with a bill presented next week.

The message is clear: the government does not intend to release the pressure even if the incidence rate begins to "decline slightly" thanks to the containment.

Afghanistan, recovery, security ...

At the heart of government concerns, the Covid therefore continues to set the pace.

Emmanuel Macron, back at the Elysee Palace after his summer break in Brégançon, will continue to promote vaccination and the health pass.

All this will obviously be at the heart of the next public outings.

For its part, the Élysée wants to show that the country and the President's agenda are not limited to Covid: Afghanistan, economic recovery, attractiveness, security, Europe ... The Head of State will also multiply trips in the coming days, especially in Ireland, Iraq or Marseille.