France to attempt reopening but restrictions to continue

News Desk

After India makes a move to ease lockdown restrictions relaxations shall come in to practice in parts of France from Monday next. The country has been divided in red and green zones for this purpose.

But restrictions shall continue in Paris Measures to curb the spread of coronavirus says prime minister of France Edouard Philippe.

Philippe, a French politician serving as Prime Minister of France since 15 May 2017 said the country was divided in to two parts in terms of the rate of infections. Hence, restrictions will remain in the capital and north-eastern regions.

The country also decided to contain professional football, rugby and other sports in France by end of the summer because of coronavirus. The announcement was made as the government unveiled its plans to gradually end the lockdown from May 11. The announcement makes the completion of the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 football season and Top 14 rugby union campaign appear increasingly unlikely.

All this comes as France prepares to relax its lockdown, with shops and some schools allowed start from coming Monday. The country has suffered one of the highest Covid-19 death rates in Europe as almost 26,000 people died from the disease in hospitals and care homes, but the number of new cases has fallen.

On Thursday, the health ministry said the virus had claimed 178 lives over the past 24 hours – 100 less than a day earlier. The country has decided to lift restrictions over couple of weeks and gradually. For this the government has issued a colour-coded map of the country, splitting it into green and red areas. Restrictions will be eased more in the green areas than the red for the time being. Something which India has decided to do and has already started doing since May 4.

However as India keeps schools closed France decides to allow primary schools and most businesses to reopen in both zones. Cafes, restaurants and secondary schools will be able to reopen in June in the green zones if situation allows.

Masks are a must on all public transport, which have to be disinfected at least once a day. Social distancing stay in place.