France to Gradually Ease COVID-19 Lockdown Measures Starting December 1

President Macron to Deliver National Address on the 24th

▲Emmanuel Macron, President of France [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The French government has decided to gradually ease the second lockdown measures introduced to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to major foreign media on the 22nd (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to announce his stance on easing lockdown measures, including movement restrictions, through a national address on the 24th.

France entered the second lockdown measures on October 30th, including movement restrictions and bans on non-essential businesses and restaurant operations, as COVID-19 resurged. These lockdown measures were originally set to be in effect until December 1st.

Gabriel Attal, spokesperson for the French government, said in an interview with the weekly magazine Le Journal du Dimanche on the same day, "President Macron will talk about strategic adjustments and the outlook for the coming weeks," adding, "The success depends on changing lockdown regulations while avoiding the spread of infection and considering improvements in the health situation."

He explained that the easing of lockdown measures will proceed in three stages depending on the health situation and the level of risk to related businesses.

Specifically, the first stage will begin on December 1st, followed by the second stage before the end of the year, and the third stage of easing measures in January next year.

Spokesperson Attal stated, "If the health situation improves, shops will be allowed to reopen from December 1st, which seems possible," but added, "Bars and restaurants will continue to face restrictions."

Olivier V?ran, Minister of Health, said on the 19th that France will win the fight against the coronavirus but it will take time.

The daily new COVID-19 cases in France on the previous day were 17,881, a significant decrease compared to 22,882 on the 20th.

Hospitalized patients decreased for five consecutive days, dropping to 31,365.

The daily new COVID-19 cases in France once surged to 50,000 to 60,000 but have been declining since the reintroduction of lockdown measures.