Thread by @john_lichfield

April will be the cruellest month. That, in effect, is Macron's warning but also promise to France tonight. One more big effort in the next month and the vax campaign will then start to kick in and save us.

Present restrictions are not enough. We will lose control unless we act. But no panic. For next month a big new effort is necessary.

Reinforcements for intensive care. Icu already lifted from 5,000 beds 70 7,000 will be extended to 10,000. Existing lockdown light in 19 départements will be extended from Saturday to all metropolitan France.

In other words non essential shops and travel beyond 10k, or in certain circs, 35k, will be banned for one month from Sat.

Schools closed for 3 weeks but courses will continue on line for 1 week. All schools on spring hols for next 2 weeks. Then lycées and collèges will remain closed until early May. IE much as I said earlier.

Thanks to vaxes, an end to crisis us in sight, Macron says. 8m Fr people have had one dose already. Roll out to be accelerated and accelerated, again.

There have been mistakes and slowness, he says, but they are being put right. Cascading down from oldest was right choice.

250000 health and emergency workers are being mobilised. From 16 April 0lus 60s wilk be eligible. From' mid lay plus 50s. Macron apologises profoundly for delays for, older people who have failed to get appointments. This will be put tight with an emergency number etc

Coming to a close now. From mid May he promises the beginnibg of opening for cafe terraces, culture etc. We have made errors but we have stood firm and we have learned. April is, month which will give us a route to hope. We will hold firm.

So... Enough ? Too much? Too late?
Fairly strict but nothing like the first lockdown a year ago. Essentially another gamble but it may work.

One important thing I missed. Macron says there will be "tolerance" of travel this easter weekend until Monday evening