President Macron announces 4-week nationwide lockdown in COVID-hit France

PARIS: French president Emmanuel Macron declared that France would join its third four-week national lockdown in his speech to the nation on Wednesday night.

The president also declared that nurseries, schools, universities, and high schools would be closed for three weeks, with a phased reopening beginning April 26.

Starting Saturday, the whole mainland of France will be subject to a 7 p.m. curfew; anyone who can will be expected to work from home; meetings will be limited; non-essential shops will be closed; and travel restrictions will be enforced.

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The entire country with 19 virus hotspot territories and cities such as Paris, which have been under a limited lockdown for the past two weeks.

The decision comes as a third wave of Covid-19 spreads through Europe, mainly due to the virus's so-called "British version," and countries face a race against time to vaccinate their populations.

The head of the state stated that, we must find a new way to respond because the epidemic is accelerating and we are likely to lose control. As a result, we must create a new structure for the coming months.

The 'British version,' according to the president, triggered a 'pandemic inside a pandemic,' which was more infectious and 'deadly.'

'We're in a new situation,' he explained. 'We're in the middle of a sprint. The spread of a new variant discovered by our British neighbours must be addressed.'

Efforts to contain the virus are "too small at a time when the outbreak is escalating," according to the study. He added that because of the spread of the variant, "we risk losing control."

Non-essential stores, as well as cafes, bars and restaurants will remain closed, according to the president.

People are permitted to go outside for recreation under the restrictions, but only within a 6-mile radius of their homes and without gathering.

According to the French finance ministry, the new lockout would force 150,000 businesses to close across the country, costing more than Euro 9 billion per month.

He also claimed that the vaccine drive will be open to all those over the age of 60 beginning April 16 and those over the age of 50 beginning May 15.

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