Thread by @kimwillsher1

Today we have a press conference by French PM Jean Castex and Health Minister Olivier Véran to explain curfew announced last evening by President Emmanuel Macron.

The 9pm-6am curfew is due to come into effect Saturday morning (from midnight) and last at least 4 weeks.

It could be extended to 1 December. I will try to give an account of this press conference. As usual, please forgive errors and clumsy translation.

Jean Castex says he's going to give details of new rules for Covid-19 crisis. Saturday France enters state of "health emergency" which will last for 4 weeks or longer if parliament decides. Comes from worsening of "viral situation" over last 10 days.

Castex: There has been a "sudden and spectacular" accelleration in number of cases. Particularly worrying rapid increase in cases of elderly people and pressure on hospital beds. Can't let hospitals deal with sudden rise in patients or postpone serious non-Covid-19 treatment.

*acceleration

Castex says answer isn't increasing number of hospital beds. "No hospital system could face up to having tens of thousands of serious cases if we do nothing." Says it would take years to increase beds. Braking the spread of the virus is only answer.

Castex: "We have taken a chance on local officials who we consult permanently" to make local measures. All these measures have brought results. The return to school was a success, very few schools and classes closed. But risk zones are difficult to control.

Castex: family and personal gatherings are most risk. Degrading of the health situation shows that closure of bars has not been enough. To limit risk situations we are introducing curfew in nine cities. Reduce interations in "private sphere" "reduce number of people we meet..."

"...in convivial situations".
"We ask people to respect the rules for public spaces in their private homes."
Castex is now detailing the areas concerned:
*curfew 9pm-6am. Everyone at home and public places (bars restaurants etc.,) closed.

*exceptions:
* if you need to get medication
*if you have a train or plane
*if you come home from work after 9pm
*if you have to visit dependent relative
*walking the dog
You will have to have a sworn attestation (as back in the lockdown).

Attestation available from the government website or calling
0800 130 0000
Exceptions to closure
•health places
*delivery restaurants
*homeless refuges

Strict rules already in place remain in curfew areas during day.
*bars remain closed
*gyms health clubs closed (except to minors)
*universities (50% occupation of amphis, canteens etc.,)

Rule of 6 people applied in public places and respected in private homes too.

Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin explaining how curfew rules will be enforced.
Declarations can be written by hand if can't be printed.
Attestation professional for those who need to go to work during hours of curfew also needed as well as declaration.

Darmanin: Punishment for breaking curfew:
€135 fine. If 3 times caught possibility of 6 months prison €3,750 fine

Police will be checking on establishments meant to be closed. Reinforced controls of gatherings.

In non curfew areas, local prefects will apply and introduce rules as they see fit.
National rules:
•all private parties including marriage receptions banned.
*restaurants must apply health rules esp. max 6 per table and names and tel. numbers of customers.

*1 seat to be left free in places like cinemas where people are seated.
* customers in shopping centres and supermarkets: 1 customer for every 4m2
* Home working.
These measures for at least six weeks.

Works minister Élisabeth Borne is up now:
*masks must be worn at work
*50,000 checks have been made 300 infractions
*Home-working useful to limit contacts esp. in public transport.
*There has to be talks between management and staff unions/organisations to agree on home working

Borne: "Businesses, especially those in curfew zone, to define a number of homeworking days for workers where possible and stagger working hours of staff". This protocol to be agreed and put into effect next week.

Castex back at lectern:
Where possible 2-3 days of homeworking for staff wherever possible.
PM says there will be economic consequences and that the furloughing scheme in France is the most "generous in Europe".

Castex: "In last few weeks, my govt, has taken extra measures to increase support for businesses directly or directly hit by the (coronavirus) measures." These measures will be "reinforced".

Over to Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire:
"Since start of this crisis we have been at the side of business people and workers affected by this health crisis. We will continue to be after the announcement of this curfew".

Le Maire says he understands the anguish of hotel and restaurant and bar owners.
Businesses with less than 50 staff and have lost 50% of income will receive money from "solidarity fund".
Those in public entertainment (hotel, cafés, bars etc) industry who have lost 50% of ...

Le Maire ..income will also receive financial help.
The furlough system (chomage partiel) will continue at 100% until the end of December.
Businesses in curfew areas will be given a break on their social charges. Staff social charges also reduced.

Le Maire: now talking about state-guaranteed loans, which are being extended until 20 June 2021.
Paying back of these loans: French banks are being asked to give companies an extra year to reimburse their borrowing.

*30 June

Direct state loans, being extended until 30 June 2021 too.

Le Maire saying discussions will be taking place about business rents, insurance and other matters.

Health Minister Olivier Véran up (Castex praises him for his courage and determination).
"We are beginning to win battle of the delays for tests," Véran says. 91% Covid-19 test results given in 48 hours.

France currying out 1.3m tests a week. The nasal tests, PCR, aiming to introduce tests giving results in 10-15 minutes. Antigenic tests: France has ordered 5m tests. "Good, but not enough," he says, so hoping to extend this. It will take time for training and to obtain tests.

Hoping these tests can be available at GP in "the coming weeks". Also hoping to offer them at airports for arrivals from countries where virus is very active. "We are very mobilised," he repeats twice.

Véran: Tous anti-Covid will be the new name of the track-and-trace application. It will be "completely efficient" (presumably unlike StopCovid !)
Hospitals: people ask why we haven't increased i/c beds in country. Anaesthetist takes 11 hours to train, Véran points out.

Véran: i/c Covid-19 treatement is very specific and specific training has been offered. Our objective is not to have endless i/c beds it's to "avoid the serious cases".
"Our philosophy is to prevent the serious cases," Véran says adding that there are now 5,800 i/c beds

Compared with 5,000 before crisis. More beds can be created but by taking beds from other departments and patients (ie non-Covid).
Véran talking about "vulnerable" who are at risk from coronavirus.

Says a new list of those deemed "vulnerable" to be published (enabling them to be exonerated from work etc.,)
Castex back and is announcing rises for health personnel.

Castex: "We are crossing an unusual moment in our history. A moment that looks set to last several months more. It's easy in such situations to find scapegoats, point fingers at one or another...the moment will come to draw our conclusions...

Castex: "...,but for now all our energy must turn towards fighting and vanquishing this malay. The government is in the front line to protect you and assess the situation.
It's not the state which is hitting (you), it's the virus. It's that we must fight."

Correction: homeless shelters

Ministers now taking questions:
Castex says the summer period after a "difficult" lockdown appears to have led to a dropping of guard and protection measures and this could be one of causes of "second wave".

Castex: speaking of Olivier Véran and his confidence in the health minister he says Véran is "always on the front line..." he has "great competence" and is a huge benefit for the country. (Véran is one of several officials being investigated for their handling of the crisis...

...and there were police searches of their offices this morning. Among those being investigated are former PM Édouard Philippe and former health minister Agnès Buzyn as well as head of French public health authority 'Monsieur Covid-19' Jérôme Salomon).

Olivier Véran says the curfew is a "measured and territorial response" and that some other areas could have a curfew imposed if situation worsens in those areas.

Castex responding to question about transport:
If you have a night train or plane after 9pm , of course you can take it as long as you have your declaration.

Interior Minister says 22,000 police (PN)/gendarmes in France of whom 12,000 police/gendarmes in curfew areas will carry out checks between 9pm-6am. They will be joined, no doubt, by city police forces (Police Municipale) who can also enforce curfew, issue fines etc

Ministers now answering questions that aren't adding much to this thread, so over and out. Apologies, again, for the clumsy on-the-hoof translation.

To explain the question posed about Castex's confidence in Olivier Véran and the police searches, (further up this thread) here is the story:
theguardian.com/world/2020/oct…

•CLARIFICATION: Re: timing of the start of the curfew. Castex said: "from 00h00 Saturday morning or midnight Friday". So, whichever you prefer!

Finally. Sorry, I cannot answer questions on this press conference. Essential information may be found on the French government's Covid-19 website here:
gouvernement.fr/info-coronavir…

And in English here:
gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus…