The 10 French départements facing earlier curfew due to Covid-19 spike

France is subject to a nationwide nighttime curfew from 8pm until 6am, however in 15 départements with higher Covid-19 rates the curfew starts at 6pm.

In a press conference on Thursday evening Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the government could extend the earlier curfew to 10 more départements, after consultation with local authorities.

A recent rise in Covid-19 infections means "we have identified 10 more départements, mostly in the east of France, where where we are considering imposing the earlier curfew," said the PM.

According to reports in French media the 10 départements are: Haut-Rhin, Bas Rhin and Haute-Savoie in the east, Côte d'Or, Yonne, Cher and Allier in central-eastern France and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône in the south east.

In each of these départements the infection rate has risen above 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The stricter curfew could be imposed on Sunday after talks with local officials, the PM said.

Under the rules of the curfew people must remain home and can only be outside their homes for essential reasons such returning from work or health emergencies.

A final decision will be taken on Friday.

The 15 départements which are already subject to an earlier curfew are:

Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Doubs, Ardennes, Jura, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Haute-Saône, Vosges, Territoire de Belfort, Moselle, Nièvre and Saône-et-Loire.