France plans for local lockdowns in case of new Covid-19 outbreaks
France's prime minister says a plan for reimposing lockdown on a local level is 'almost complete' and ready to brought into use in areas where coronavirus cases spike.
In his previous role, France's new prime minister Jean Castex was responsible for drawing up the plan that gradually eased France out of lockdown - which is how he acquired the nickname Monsieur déconfinement.
However at the same time he was also working on a plan to reimpose lockdown - réconfinement - if necessary.
He has told French media that this plan is now virtually complete, but does not focus on another general nationwide lockdown.
Instead the new plan focuses on local lockdowns in areas that see a spike in cases.
France exited its State of Health Emergency on July 10th, but subsequent legislation allows the government to re-impose lockdown on a local basis if necessary without formally declaring a State of Emergency.
Castex told the Journal du Dimanche that the plan was focused on the threshold at which restrictions on movement should be reimposed, the testing policy in areas with high infection rates and the type of lockdown that would be needed to control local outbreaks.
His words came as local health authorities have raised concern at outbreaks in areas including the south west, Brittany and Mayenne.
MAP Which areas of France are 'of concern' to health authorities over Covid-19 increases?
On Monday France made wearing a mask compulsory in enclosed public spaces, on pain of a €135 fine.
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In his previous role, France's new prime minister Jean Castex was responsible for drawing up the plan that gradually eased France out of lockdown - which is how he acquired the nickname Monsieur déconfinement.
However at the same time he was also working on a plan to reimpose lockdown - réconfinement - if necessary.
He has told French media that this plan is now virtually complete, but does not focus on another general nationwide lockdown.
Instead the new plan focuses on local lockdowns in areas that see a spike in cases.
France exited its State of Health Emergency on July 10th, but subsequent legislation allows the government to re-impose lockdown on a local basis if necessary without formally declaring a State of Emergency.
Castex told the Journal du Dimanche that the plan was focused on the threshold at which restrictions on movement should be reimposed, the testing policy in areas with high infection rates and the type of lockdown that would be needed to control local outbreaks.
His words came as local health authorities have raised concern at outbreaks in areas including the south west, Brittany and Mayenne.
MAP Which areas of France are 'of concern' to health authorities over Covid-19 increases?
On Monday France made wearing a mask compulsory in enclosed public spaces, on pain of a €135 fine.
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