Thread by @kimwillsher1

So, tonight Emmanuel Macron will tell France what new restrictions are to be introduced. I will be trying, once again, to give you a blow-by-blow account as he speaks. Usual rules apply: please forgive clumsy on the hoof translation.

Macron: "Efforts made were useful but not enough...situation of epidemic. The speed of spread of virus has not bee anticipated. 527 deaths yesterday, 3,000 people in i/c half the national capacity.

"Difference from 1 wave, the whole country is affected...operations are being cancelled. Difficult measures have been taken. Contested but necessary, but they are not enough to combat the second wave.

"We have always said we have to live with the virus...we have done all we can do and I believe our strategy and information has been good. We could have gone quicker with tests, but for several weeks we've been the country in Europe doing most tests...

"We have to admit, like our neighbours we are submerged by acceleration of the spread of the virus. We are all in Europe surprised by the speed of spread of the virus. We are overwhelmed by a second wave, that will be harder and more fatal than the first.

Prediction that mid November all i/c beds will be filled with Covid-19 cases. Macron says France needs a sudden "brutal brake" on the transmission of virus so doctors don't have to make choices between Covid cases and car accident cases for example.

Macron says his responsibility is to protect all French. Objectives.
1. Protect elderly and vulnerable who are "first victims". 85% of deaths are over 70 years old.
2. Protect the youngest. 25% of those in i/c are under 25 years old. "We don't know the long-term effects for them"

3. Protect our carers. "We owe them all our efforts to limit the contamination of virus".
4. Protect the poorest who are most touched by virus and the economic consequences of crisis.
5. Protect the economy.

Macron: "The health system won't hold unless there is an economy to support it. Nothing is more important, however, than human life".
Strategy: "We could do nothing and accept herd immunity...short term it will mean triage of patients and 400,000 extra deaths"

Could lockdown the most at risk but Macron says this leads to questioning the ethics of this plus "The virus is developing serious forms among the young" so it's not enough. 1.9 m tests being carried out in France every week, 100,000 calls made every day to contact cases...

But still 40,000-50,000 new cases a day and possibly many more. Macron says France has all necessary material - masks, blouses, gloves, ventilators - and has trained new staff. There were 5,000 i/c beds at first wave, 6,000 now and capacity to increase to 10,000 i/c beds.

"There is no magic solution...we cannot create a different (hospital) capacity in a few months." Nor can France call on its neighbours also suffering from second wave.

What is good strategy?

"We have to go further...having spoken to scientists and social actors I have decided we have to refind from Friday, lockdown that stopped virus. All territory will be covered. This lockdown will be adapted: Schools remain open, work will continue, nursing homes excepted.

Details to be given in press conference tomorrow.
* you will need the famous attestation to leave home.
*private gatherings banned (returns allowed this weekend)
* non essential commerces incl. bars, restaurants to be closed.
* Business losses to be covered up to 10,000 euros pcm

*children will go to school, creches to lycees will stay open. Universities will do courses online. Public services will remain open and continue to operate.
"Economy will continue and will not collapse".

French borders will remain open and exterior borders remain closed. No traveller will be allowed to return to EU area without knowing they are clear of virus.
* visits to elderly and those in care homes will be allowed under strict health protection rules.
•funerals allowed

"Everyone has a role to play". The 65+ should be particularly careful, limit even family contact, masks worn even at home. All health workers , local GPs, nurses, pharmacies need to be active to diagnose cases...security services will be used to enforce the regulations.

"We need everyone's sense of responsibility and civic behaviour...stay at home as much as you can". These measures will take place midnight Thurs/Friday and will be in force until 1 December. There will be a debate in parliament tomorrow (Thursday).

Every 15 days, restrictions will be reviewed and possibly eased depending on the situation. Macron calling for rigour in the next 15 days. Christmas..."everyone wants to celebrate on family". Aim is to pass down to 5,000 contaminations a day and reduce hospital admissions...

Application "Tous Anti-Covid" is a key tool. "We have all, ALL been surprised by the acceleration of the virus. We must, whatever happens remain united and show solidarity and not succumb to the poison of division....unprecedented social and economic divisions right now....

"We have to hold firm, stand shoulder to shoulder, we can only rise if we remain united...I count on each of you. I will be there, we will be there and we will get there all together. Vive la Republique and vive la France". Over and out from the president.

I am sorry, I cannot answer questions on this. More details will be given by the French PM Jean Castex tomorrow.
To understand the context of this, the figures from Santé Publique France this evening are here:
+36,437 confirmed new cases in 24 hours
+244 deaths in hospital

Source: santepubliquefrance.fr/dossiers/coron…

Government Covid-19 site has not been updated (except for the date). All blank. Here's the link for reference.
gouvernement.fr/info-coronavir…

NOTE: Details of this new lockdown, which French TV is calling Lockdown 2, will be given tomorrow.