Prime Minister Edouard Philippe unveiled the deconfinement strategy implemented by the State. Here are the main announcements to remember.
Expected on six main subjects, including the very sensitive question of the opening of schools and that, no less delicate, of wearing masks and screening, Edouard Philippe insisted on the "progressivity" of deconfinement. "We are going to have to live with the virus, […] it is not encouraging but it is a fact," he insisted. The strategy is based on the “protect, test, isolate” triptych.
Masks for all May 11
Emmanuel Macron had already announced that each Frenchman could get a "general public" mask from May 11. Many citizens did not wait until this date to try to get one, especially in pharmacies that can sell it since Sunday.
Edouard Philippe indicated that "wearing a mask in certain situations" will be added to the usual barrier gestures to limit the spread of the virus. If it will not be compulsory on the street, for example, it will be in public transport. We are essentially talking about fabric masks, surgical and FFP2 masks being reserved primarily for health professionals.
In addition, five million washable masks will be distributed each week to people in need.
700 tests per week
Second step in the government's strategy: screening. On this subject too, the authorities are accused of having delayed starting. "At the end of confinement, we set ourselves the objective of carrying out at least 700 virological tests per week," said Edouard Philippe. They will be reserved for symptomatic people and their entourage, estimated at between 000 and 20 people.
Isolation of contact cases
In each department, human "brigades" will be set up to contact all the people who have worked with each person tested positive. All these people will be "invited to isolate themselves". Everyone can choose between isolating themselves at home, "which will entail confinement of the whole home for 14 days, for obvious reasons", or in a place made available to them, for example a hotel requisitioned by the State. "Our goal is to rely heavily on the civic spirit of each," said Edouard Philippe, adding that "the isolation must be explained, agreed and supported."
Territorial deconfinement
On May 7, the departments will be decided which will be in “red” or “green” on May 11, according to several indicators of the state of the epidemic, including hospitalized cases and those in intensive care. But beware: if these figures are not good, "we will not deconfinate May 11" as planned for the moment, warned the Prime Minister. If everything is ready, a first phase will begin which will last until June 2.
Gradual reopening of schools on May 11
Many elected officials were worried about having to gradually reopen schools from May 11. In kindergarten and elementary schools, the reopening will be "gradual from May 11, on a voluntary basis throughout the country," said Edouard Philippe. The classes will be 15 students maximum, and several health measures will be implemented, including the provision of hydroalcoholic gel. The crèches will also be reopened with groups of 10 children maximum.
Teachers should wear a mask, but not school children. Only a few additional copies will be made available to school leaders, for example in the event that a pupil is infected and so that he can be protected while awaiting the arrival of his parents.
Decision at the end of May for high schools
Back to school, the start of the school year may begin "from May 18, but only in departments where the circulation of the virus is very weak". It will start "with the grades 6 and 5," said the head of government. Middle school students will be required to wear a mask.
Reopening of shops and markets
All shops, except cafes and restaurants, will be able to reopen from May 11. As for the markets, they "will, in general, be authorized", unless the prefect or the mayor judges that compliance with health rules is impossible to enforce there.
The wearing of the mask will not be made compulsory in all shops, but it will be "recommended for staff and customers when physical distance measures cannot be guaranteed". In addition, "a trader may make entry into his store subject to wearing a mask," said Edouard Philippe.
As announced last week, the decision regarding a possible reopening of restaurants and cafes is postponed until the end of May.
Reinforcement of public transport
Transport is a "particularly difficult" subject, underlined Edouard Philippe, in particular because of the difficulty of respecting the barrier rules in a train, a metro, a bus or even an airplane. In public transport, the mask will be mandatory while one seat out of two will be condemned.
However, in order to ensure the resumption of activity, the local public transport offer will be “increased as much as possible”. 70% of Paris metro traffic will be provided on May 11, for example, and the objective is to go up to 100% "quickly". The state is also considering restricting the busiest time slots to those who go to work and have no other choice.
End of the travel certificate
The certificate of travel to leave home will no longer be necessary from May 11. But "travel more than 100 km from home" will remain prohibited, except for "compelling reasons, family or professional". In this case, the reservation will be compulsory before boarding a train.
Edouard Philippe, however, asks "the oldest, the most fragile, for patience. Our seniors will be encouraged to limit their outings even more than other citizens.
Gatherings limited to 10 people
"Meetings on the public highway or in a private place will be limited to 10 people," said Edouard Philippe. The major sports championships 2019-2020, including Ligue 1 football, "will not be able to resume". City halls will always be encouraged to recommend the postponement of weddings. Beaches will remain prohibited until June 1, and religious ceremonies until June 2. However, cemeteries may reopen from May 11.
Regarding the summer holidays, "it is too early" to speak more specifically, said the Prime Minister.
Specific debate and vote on Stop Covid
A possible Stop Covid mobile tracking application, desired by the government and under development, "can only be envisaged in a complementary way" to human resources, said Edouard Philippe. But this project is not at all finished and to discuss it is "premature", judged the Prime Minister. "A large number of political leaders have expressed their concerns to me about this type of instrument," he agreed, judging that these "well-founded" questions should be the subject of "a specific debate and a specific vote ”.
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