The failing vaccine rollout and the spread of the highly contagious variants has forced the French President Emmanuel Macron to place Paris back into lockdown.
France is in the grip of a third wave with the British virulent variant now accounting for 75% of cases in the country, said Prime Minister Jean Castex.
Intensive care wards across France, most notably Pairs are under severe strain and are operating at almost full capacity.
“The epidemic is getting worse. Our responsibility now is to not let it escape our control,” Castex told a news conference.
There was 35,000 new cases reported on Thursday, with more Covid patients in hospitals across Paris than at the peak of the second wave.
From midnight on Friday the lockdowns in 16 of the hardest hit departments will go into lockdown, whilst essential shops, barbers and furniture shops can stay open.
School will remain open and people will be allowed to exercise outdoors within 6 miles of their home, but no travel is allowed in the worst hit areas.
Castex said, “go outdoors, but not to party with friends.”
The French Prime Minister also announced now that the European Medicines Agency has confirmed the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, they will resume inoculations.
Castex added, “I am confident public trust in the vaccine will be restored.”
Leave a Comment