Thread by @john_lichfield

French PM Jean Castex will give a press conference in 10 minutes to explain France's new vaccination strategy. Will also announce new Covid restriction but not a new lockdown.

It is now thought that 19, at least, cases of the new, faster moving virus mutation have been identified in France. Case numbers are climb climbing - 25 000, yesterday after a new year lull. But no sign yet of the kind of surge seen in the UK or Ireland. Will tweet main points.

Castex says 2021 will be a year of hope. France doing better than its neighbour's but recording an average 15,000 new cases a day. UK incidence rate 8 times higher, he says.

Castex praises efforts of the French. But he says health remains fragile. Pressure on hospitals not increasing but not declining either. But worry is that British or south African variants might invade France.

Restrictions on travel from UK will be extended indefinitely. In other words complete ban on uk citizens who don't live in Fr. All travellers must have a recent negative test.

Health minister Olivier Veran says there are 19 cases of the British variant in France. New efforts will be made to track and contain this new virus.

Castex again now. No question of lowering France's guard, he says. All closed activities, restaurants, theaters, bars, ski stations etc will remain closed at least until the end of Jan. Situation will be re-examine on 21 Jan. But ski stations may open in Feb.

Restaurants, bars etc have little chance of opening until mid Feb, he says. State aid to them will be extended.

The 8pm to 6am curfew will also be extended until end of January. An extra 10 départements may be added to the 15 in eastern France where the curfew begins at 6pm.

On vaccines, Castex says questions about France's slow roll out are justified but some criticism has been excessive.

Now Fr will go faster. Everyone who wants a jab will get one. Fr has 200m doses for this year. We have ordered far more than necessary.

But all cannot be jabbed at once. Priority will remain for the elderly and most at risk... 15,00,000 people.

By end of month, 1,000, 000 should be vaccinated, he promises, in lobe with other countries. Fr. started with care homes which is slower, he says. But programme will now be expanded. Details will come from Veran shortly.

Speedier vaccinations... Castex says health carers and workers are now being jabbed. All over 75's can be vaccinated from 18 Jan but some places earlier than that.

Véran now on new jab rules...
Jabs in care homes and for health workers are being speeded up. 12,500 yesterday, 25,000 today... This will speed up even more.

Véran says second jabs will be delayed a little to allow more people to get first jabs. Sx vaccination centres in each département by end of Jan, he promises.

All over 65's can register on line for a jab from next week and be given an appointment from 18 Jan onwards.

This offer will be gradually expanded to other ages and categories. Sorry. OFFER from Jan 18 week is for all over 75s not over 65's. The second jab will come after 6 weeks not 3.

To be clear..
Over 75's can book a jab from. Monday to be delivered from 18 Jan. Other age groups will be offered this same service in following weeks...

Jab figures will be published every day. 45,000 in last 5 days, after 500 on first 5 days....

Véran says impatience is understandable. But a few days delay is unimportant. What is crucial is that greatest number of people should be vaccinated... Only that can end the crisis.

Castex calls for an end to useless polemics about rate of jabs in France. Most important thing is to pursuade the greatest poss number of Fr people to be vaccinated, for their own sakes but also to protect others. Now questions.

To add detail... Jabs for all over 75s will not require a prior dr's visit or advance consent. Just an online appointment.