Facing the rise of new coronavirus cases in France and to fight against the still very active spread of the virus, as France is now facing a second wave, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced on his address on October 14, the implementation of a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
"We shall curb the spread of the virus to protect the others, the oldest, the most precarious; we shall protect our health system and our caregivers. We are all bond together. These 20,000 new cases a day will have to be brough back to the 3000/4000 cases we can manage. It would be disproportionate to reconfine the country; we shall reduce private contacts that are the most dangerous with people who are not in our family circle" Emmanuel Macron said.
In addition to Paris and Ile-de-France, several big cities are concerned by the curfew implemented from Saturday October 17 at midnight and for at least 4 weeks. Cities are: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.
The day after the head of state's televised address, Prime Minister Jean Castex gave further details on the measure. He says that starting from Saturday October 17 at midnight, everyone shall be home from 9 p.m. He adds that 12,000 police officers will be enlisted to make sure curfew is respected. French people concerned by the measure will have to justify any trip beyond 9 p.m. with a derogatory trip certificate.
"Curfew is then a relevant measure. We experienced its success in French Guiana. This curfew measure will be applied to the Ile-de-France region where the virus is very active and 8 other big cities: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. It will start this Saturday at midnight and last four weeks. We will soon go to the Parliament to try and extend it to December 1."
All buildings receiving public, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, as well as show venues and theaters will then have to close at 9 p.m. starting Saturday October 17 at midnight. Ile-de-France inhabitants will have to be home at 9 p.m. as well: "If you have a 30-minute commute, you have to make it to be home at 9 p.m." Emmanuel Macron said. In case the curfew is broken, you could be fined.