France Is Going Back Under Lockdown
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the second lockdown in France due to a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases.
On Tuesday, France reported over 35 thousand new cases. The sudden spike prompted Macron’s decision to revert to restrictions that were enforced back in March. He announced to the 46 million French citizens via television address on Wednesday that the lockdown is to begin on Friday and will last at least until December.
“We’ve decided as of Friday we will have to go back into lockdown” President Emmanuel Macron says. France has recorded 36,437 new cases in the past 24 hours.
— Roscoe Whalan (@RoscoeWhalan) October 28, 2020
Macron held off on starting another lockdown due to fears of the economy collapsing. There are still hopes to have the country back in business in time for the Christmas season. Essential businesses will remain open, much like the first lockdown, but non-essentials like restaurants and bars will be closed again. This time around schools will remain open, up to high school ages, universities will remain online only. Citizens will need a paper form with reason when leaving the house.
Well, Macron just spoke. We're back in lockdown (confinement, in French). Schools, businesses & essential shops open, restaurants, bars, other shops closed. No gatherings. Need a paper with stated reason for going out. It's draconian, but it will keep hospitals functional. 😔
— Janet Hasson (@janetmdh) October 28, 2020
France’s latest adjustment comes amid more restrictions across Europe. Germany is also entering a soft lockdown, with non-essential business closing. Italy is seeing a spike in cases as well, after being hit the hardest at the start of the global pandemic. Both the U.K. and the U.S. are bracing themselves for a second wave, with political leaders and medical professionals fearing that it will be deadlier than the first. However, Asian countries, including China where COVID-19 originated, have seen a sharp decline in cases after strict lockdowns.
France reinstating severe #COVID19 restrictions; Germany closing restaurants, bars & entertainment venues; Czechia has a curfew. The #coronavirus surge is forcing western nations, which have no sustainable pandemic strategy, into a cycle of lockdowns. But look at Asia: pic.twitter.com/WV9hsbPzg1
— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) October 28, 2020
Like France, countries all over the world are trying to grapple with rising numbers of cases and deaths. President Macron hopes that the precautions being taken will help his citizens in the long run, despite having to bunker down now. Although we do not have national restrictions to keep us safe like the French, we can continue to practice social distancing guidelines and good hygiene practices to help slow the spread here in America. To learn more about COVID-19, and how to keep you and your loved ones safe, check here.
