President Emmanuel Macron announces gradual lifting (or easing) of 2nd lockdown
Addressing the nation on Tuesday, November 24, President Emmanuel Macron reported a marked improvement of the infection rate of COVID-19 in France and decrease of ICU cases & hospitalizations due to the pandemic.
These encouraging developments following the second lockdown on October 30, has allowed the French Government to take the following steps to gradually ease certain restrictions on the following time-line. The time-line will be reviewed on the basis of COVID-19 infection rates and number of cases per day.
On December 10th, the Prime Minister explained the changes made to the 3 steps as of December 15th, given the evolution of the health situation.
TIME-LINE
1. November 28 | Adjustments to the present lockdown
• Continuation of the system of exemption certificates for essential reasons (medical appointment, assisting a family member etc…) and continuation of remote working where and when possible
• Permission to exercise and for walks outdoors for up to 3 hours in a 20 km radius of one’s residence
• Outdoor extracurricular activities are now permitted
• Re-opening until 9:00 p.m. of non-essential stores & services such as book stores, libraries and music stores
2. December 15: end of lockdown (providing the rate of infection is less than 5000 per day)
• End of the mandatory exemption certificates and of the travel ban between French Regions | Confirmed | but only between 6:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
• Curfew between 9:00 p.m. & 7:00 a.m. except on the nights of December 24 & 31—Christmas & New Years Eve | Update: However, a curfew will be enforced between 8PM and 6AM with the exception of Christmas Eve when no more than 6 adults should gather together. The curfew will be enforced on New Year's Eve. Reccomendations specific to the holidays will be made.
• Reopening of cinemas, theaters and museums | Update: Cultural establishments (museums, theatres, cinemas) will also remain closed, until at least January 7th, 2021
• Update: For travel to the overseas regions, a PCR test must be provided at least 72 hours before departure. The specific measures for each region are detailed on the government site | For French citizens only, except for French Polynesia
• Indoor extracurricular activities authorized
• Gatherings in public spaces are forbidden
January 20: Lifting of additional restrictions – sanitary conditions permitting: Update
• Re-opening of restaurants with strict sanitary protocols. Bars and nightclubs must still wait to welcome their customers again.
• Winter sports resorts can welcome visitors during the Christmas holidays, however all public facilities and ski lifts will remain closed. The exact date of reopening will be specified at a later date.
For updates on Foreign Nationals coming to France, click here
For updates on COVID-19 restrictions in France, click here