Government - activities

Covid: 54% of the French for a nationwide lockdown

As President Macron is about to announce likely new stric lockdown in order to curb the spread of Covid-19, an Elabe survey released on Wednesday March 31, 2021 by BFMTV states 54% of the French are for a new strict nationwide lockdown, like the one the country instated this past Spring. An eleven-point increase compared with the previous survey completed shortly before the implementation of the "strong curbing measures" this past Saturday March 20, 2021.

Coronavirus: stricter lockdown, harder measures, Emmanuel Macron has not decided yet

As a new Health Defense Council is expected this Wednesday March 31, 2021, more and more people – specifically doctors – have been calling for tougher measures. So far, French President Macron has not decided yet.

Local lockdown in France, the 19 departments involved, 3 new areas in lockdown

Faced with the increase in coronavirus cases in some departments in France, several areas are now submitted to lockdown. Here are the 19 departments the measure applies to.

Climate bill: new “ecocide offense” voted by deputies

Major measure of the "Climate and Resilience" draft bill, the creation of a new "ecocide offense" has been voted in the night between Thursday March 18 and Friday 19, 2021 by commission deputies.

Covid: towards a new 4-week weekend lockdown in Île-de-France? The decisions considered by the government

As some French are wondering if their country will prevent a third lockdown because of Covid, Prime Minister Jean Castex said the option of a local new lockdown, at least in Île-de-France - the hardest-hit area - was clearly considered now, because of the major deterioration of the Covid-19 epidemic markers over the past days. Two alternatives are on the executive's agenda: a "tough" 24/7 lockdown including schools open; and a weekend lockdown like in Pas-de-Calais and Alpes-Maritimes. L'Express reveals the scenario of a 4-week weekend lockdown is being considered by the executive.

Covid: “Time has come to consider measures for the Île-de-France region”, Castex admits

As the health situation is deteriorating in some departments in France, Jean Castex has given an interview to Apolline de Malherbe and Maxime Switek during a special broadcast on Tuesday March 16, 2021 on BFMTV in the evening. During the show, the French Prime Minister admitted the Île-de-France region might be placed in lockdown.

Covid: Jean Castex sets a criterion to put Île-de-France back into lockdown

This Sunday, invited on Twitch by Samuel Etienne, Jean Castex opened up. The Prime Minister explained for instance that Île-de-France was not subject to the same restrictions as Pas-de-Calais and Alpes-Maritimes, because the incidence rate has not reached 400 cases for 100,000 inhabitants.

Coronavirus: is weekend lockdown effective against the epidemic?

It has been over two weekends that some areas in France have been placed into weekend lockdown. The measure has also been extended to Alpes-Maritimes and around Dunkirk. But is this restriction truly effective?

Macron allows himself "8 to 10 days" before easing off restrictions or not past the Winter break

As many people fear a 3rd lockdon in the coming days or weeks, FranceInfo said earlier this week the government is not considering additional restrictions by the end of the Winter break. Moreover, Emmanuel Macron is said to have stated during a video-conference with parliamentarians that he allows himself "8 to 10 days" before making new decisions. These decisions are to be related to measures likely to be implemented from early March 2021.

Covid: “12% of the French” infected since the pandemic broke out, Pr. Arnaud Fontanet says

This Monday January 4, 2021, epidemiologist doctor and Scientific Committee member assessed the state of the pandemic of Covid-19 in France. He says the spread cannot slow down as long as 67% of the population is not vaccinated. He says cultural facilities shall remain closed as long as the hospitalization toll does not decrease.

Covid: Castex “cannot assure” restaurants to reopen from January 20

This Tuesday December 15, 2020 in the morning, Prime Minister Jean Castex addressed the likeliness for restaurants and bars to reopen from January 20, 2021. So far, this deadline is uncertain and will “depend on us all”.

Covid: curfew from 8 p.m. starting December 15 and no exemption on New Year's Eve

As the deadline of December 15 is just around the corner, France will not meet the 5,000 new Covid cases per day goal enabling to exit lockdown, as Jean Castex explained this Thursday December 10 during a press brief. The situation forced the government to toughen up measures planned, like curfew starting from 8 p.m. from December 15 and no exemption on New Year's Eve.

Lockdown exit: movie theaters, museums and theaters to remain shut, the government to keep on helping them

Movie theaters, theaters, museums: they were all preparing to reopen on December 15 feverishly. A useless preparation as this December 10, the government announced cultural places are to remain shut until January 7, 2021.

Covid: the 5,000-case goal not to be met on December 15, Olivier Véran thinks

This Monday December 7, 2020 during a parliamentary liaison committee, France’s Health Minister said the goal set by the government to move to phase 2 of the lockdown exit – naming December 15 – is not likely to be met on that day. Markers of the Covid-19 epidemic in France seem to confirm Olivier Véran’s appraisal.

Global warming: the French government has three months to prove they are fulfilling their commitments

The State Council gave three months to the French government to prove they were fulfilling their commitments to fight against global warming. A necessary intervention after the city of Grande-Synthe, along with other cities and NGOs, referred to the authority.

Coronavirus: lockdown not to be lifted before the Holidays

The government and especially France's Prime Minister announced on Thursday November 12 the lockdown will go on as it is for at least two more weeks. Easing is planned for stores starting December 1 if the situation allows it and easing lockdown could occur for the Holidays.

Climate: the French government’s plan to progressively end support to fossil fuels

The French government supports an amending offering to list in the budget 2021 a plan to end projects supporting fossil fuels abroad. A plan spread to 2035 condemned by environment NGOs.

Coronavirus: shall the new lockdown be made harder?

Shall a stricter new lockdown be implemented? This is what some specialists and elected representatives require as they also want stricter measures. This November 4, Emmanuel Macron gathered a new Defense Council. New restrictions are likely to be made in the next days.

Coronavirus: the sale of non-necessary products allowed until Wednesday in supermarkets

Facing the growing anger of small merchants and in order to reinstate equity, Jean Castex announced several new measures this November 1 on TF1. The Prime Minister made the decision to ban the sale of “non-necessary” products in supermarket starting Tuesday November 3. But leeway until Wednesday November 4 is granted. Furthermore, an extra 20 billion euros will be unlocked to support stores currently closed over the new lockdown.

Coronavirus: why could the new lockdown in France ultimately last between 8 and 12 weeks?

What a heavy blow France got on Wednesday October 28, 2020 following Emmanuel Macron’s address. The French President announced a new national lockdown for at least one month in order to efficiently halt the coronavirus epidemic in the country. But is this length enough? According to Europe 1 radio station, the government could be considering a longer general lockdown for 8 to 12 weeks. Let us explain.