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The French government has been warning of a coronavirus resurgence for weeks, but the numbers are rising rapidly. Regional measures are intended to remedy this. This also has an impact on the start of the Tour de France.
France reported 7,379 new infections with the coronavirus in one day. The French Health Ministry announced the new figures on Friday night. “The dynamics of the progression of the epidemic is exponential,” he said. Also in hospitals and intensive care units, the number of patients is increasing again, albeit at a low level.
The number of infections had already increased throughout the country in the previous days and weeks: the day before, more than 6000 cases were reported, before that more than 5000. With a total of more than 30,500 deaths, France is one of the countries Europe most affected by the corona pandemic.
Mask and curfew requirement
The government is trying to step up measures against the increase. From Friday, it is mandatory to wear an outdoor mask throughout Paris and the adjacent departments. From Saturday there will also be stricter rules in the department of Bas-Rhin, bordering Germany. The mask is mandatory here in communities with more than 10,000 inhabitants, this also includes the Alsace metropolis, Strasbourg. Similar regulations exist elsewhere, for example in the port city of Marseille, where bars must close at 11 p.m.
Exit restrictions at the national level must be avoided, the government emphasized time and again. It is important to take the appropriate measures in so-called clusters. The situation is also not comparable to the situation in spring, Prime Minister Jean Castex said. You try a lot more than you did then. However, this does not hide the fact that the number of new infections is increasing.
Almost 900,000 tests were carried out in France last week. The proportion of positive tests during this time was 3.9 percent.
21 risk areas
Currently, 21 departments of the country have been classified as risk areas in which there is a greater risk of infection. These so-called red zones are found mainly, but not exclusively, on the Mediterranean coast and around the capital, Paris.
A travel advisory from the federal government applies to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region on the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Paris metropolitan area. Many fear that such a travel warning could be extended to all of France. President Emmanuel Macron reiterated Friday that general border closures were not the right way to control the pandemic.
Macron wants to avoid border closures
Closing the borders between two countries does not make sense if areas with active circulation of the virus have been identified, he said. “Let’s not repeat the mistakes of March on this issue,” he warned. Macron reminded the many cross-border travelers that they would be affected by general travel restrictions, even if, for example, they are not in a risk zone in either country. “I think there is still a lot to do to improve coordination,” the president said.
It is important to identify risk areas and take regional measures against the spread of the virus. He also discussed this with Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit late last week. Macron said they will work in the coming days to advance on this point.
The border controls between Germany and France had caused a great nuisance in the spring, especially in the border regions.
Tour de France begins, under strict conditions
Concerns for the crown also accompany the start of the Tour de France on Saturday in Nice. Before the start of the big sporting event, the rules were tightened again. Because Nice is located in a risk zone, only a few dozen are planned instead of the 5,000 spectators initially allowed in the start and finish zone of the first stage. Police want to avoid large crowds in other ways, too. Access to the climbs should only be allowed by bicycle or on foot.
