The French government spokesman, Gabriel Attal, confirmed that the nighttime curfew is insufficient to slow the spread of the coronavirus, indicating that authorities are discussing the possibility of tightening restrictions.
Attal explained in a press conference, as reported by Reuters, that data shows the curfew at this time does not limit the virus spread, noting that different scenarios are under discussion, ranging from maintaining the current situation to very strict lockdown measures. French President Emmanuel Macron had announced strict lockdowns in the country last March and again in October in televised statements to the French people to contain the spread of the pandemic.
France has implemented a curfew from 6 PM to 6 AM every night, with restaurants, bars, museums, and ski resorts already closed. However, schools and shops remain open with restrictions on the number of people allowed inside. There has been a further increase in hospitalizations and deaths, putting pressure on President Macron to impose a third nationwide lockdown.
The French government is trying to find the best approach to address the French people regarding a "new lockdown" to avoid shocking the population, potentially by reducing working hours, keeping schools open, and partially restricting travel. France is taking precautionary steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus by urging companies to adapt their working conditions, reduce the number of employees on-site, and promote remote work, considering the new lockdown as merely a matter of time.
In this context, French Labor Minister Élisabeth Borne called on union representatives and employers on Wednesday to discuss "health issues" and determine the necessary measures to contain the pandemic. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne issued a "warning" during the February school vacation period on the "Figaro" website and thanked hospitality and travel unions for their flexibility in handling the health situation in the country.
For his part, Chief Scientific Advisor to the government, Jean-François Delfraissy, stated that a new lockdown is necessary, pointing out that politicians must decide how difficult it will be to implement. Delfraissy indicated that failure to enforce another lockdown would make March an extremely challenging month, revealing that the more contagious variant first discovered in Britain has become widespread in France. A government official noted that Macron is likely to wait until Saturday before making a decision on the next step, fearing that increased restrictions on civil liberties could lead to acts of civil disobedience.
