In 10 mins or so the French PM Jean Castex will say whether there will be any changes in the second half of France’s minimum one month-long Second Lockdown. Some schools to close? Some shops to open? The betting is on “no change”.
This will disappoint/anger owners of “non essential” shops who are desperate to reopen as soon as possible. There may be extra compo for them to soften the pain.
Is lockdown working? There are signs that the activity of the virus is slowing. The R or Reproduction rate – how many people 1 Covid carrier infects – has fallen below 1 (to 0.93) for the first time since early July. The rate of positive tests is also falling – now 19.5%.
Deaths and acute cases, lagging indicators, will continue to rise for a week or more. The government view seems to be, that it’s too early to soften the rules.
We will know soon.
We will know soon.
Will tweet main announcements but can't do a live feed. My internet connection in Normandy is too feeble and I'm too slow. See @kimwillsher1 or @LocalFR_Emma for full service.
Castex says France has suffered an additional 10,000 Covid deaths in last two months. One death in 4 in France is now due to Covid19.
More stats...long distance train trips down by 85%. 45% of private sector workers are working from home an average of 3.7 days a week. Economic activity has fallen by 12% in the second lockdown - 3 times less than in the first in the Spring.
Castex gives a new figure for the R rate - now down to between 0.8 and 0.9. But he says this is a fragile development.
News finally...Rules of confinment unchanged for the next 15 days AT LEAST.
Closed shops cannot reopen but there will be continued massive financial support for all shops and other businesses forced to close.
Enforcement of lockdown to be tightened up. More police to be mobilised, especially in Paris area and other big cities.
Some hope for shops. Castex says he hopes that some lockdown rules can be relaxed from 1 December but only for non-essential shops. This is crucial for businesses, from book shops to perfume shops, which rely on Xmas trade.
But lockdown for bars and restaurants etc will continue into December, he warns. No relaxation of rules for them, even if improvement in stats allows shops to reopen.
Sorry. Lost internet for a while. Castex's last comment was to warn that there could be no big Xmas dinners or parties this year not even on Xmas eve when the main French festivity happens.
Other ministers now speaking but those are the main points. Some hope for shops in December. None for bars, restaurants. Cheerless.
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