France, "Even if COVID-19 resurges, there will be no nationwide lockdown"

Last May, staff members were waiting for COVID-19 testing outside a hospital in Marseille, France. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The French government has announced that it will not impose a nationwide lockdown even if the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) resurges.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex appeared on RTL broadcast on the 8th (local time) and said, "Our goal is to prepare for a second wave of infections while maintaining citizens' daily lives and economic and social activities." He added, "Even if there is a resurgence of (COVID-19), we will not issue a nationwide lockdown like we did last March," explaining, "Because we know that a complete lockdown has very serious consequences for the economy and citizens' lives."

France imposed a nationwide lockdown in March due to the full-scale spread of COVID-19. Since June, the lockdown has been gradually lifted, and most restrictions have now been removed. As of the 8th, France has a cumulative total of 168,810 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The death toll stands at 29,933.

The French government plans to selectively implement restrictive measures such as bans on economic activities or stay-at-home orders only in specific regions where infections are spreading, instead of a complete lockdown, if COVID-19 resurges. Prime Minister Castex said, "We will protect the people, but we will also invest in ecological transition and economic recovery."

The French government expects this year's gross domestic product (GDP) to decrease by 11% compared to last year due to the COVID-19 crisis. The government and economic experts are evaluating this crisis as the worst economic downturn since World War II.