France PM expecting to announce easing of lockdown this afternoon
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French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is expected to announce an easing of restrictions this afternoon in Parliament. The French Government has indicated that it will seek to balance the need to get the economy going once again while ensuring maximum safety in terms of public health.
Only 75 of 577 deputies will be allowed into the National Assembly to respect social distancing, with the others voting by proxy.
The restrictive measures have been in place for six weeks, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing earlier this month that any easing of restrictions will not happen prior to 11th May. However, government and health authorities have been very vague on how this will proceed.
More than 23,300 persons lost their lives in France after being infected with the virus. However, recent data has provided encouraging signals with new cases and number of patients requiring hospitalization and intensive care decreasing.
Economists are projecting a contraction of roughly eight percent in growth this year while the jobless rate went up a record 7.1% in March.
‘Controlled and progressive’
The scientific council appointed by Government said that it was encouraging a “progressive and controlled easing of the confinement”. While there is no indication yet whether wearing face masks will be mandatory, French media has reported divergences on education. While the scientific council appears to be pushing for schools to remain shut until September, Macron appears in favour of having students back to their school benches before the end of the current scholastic year.
While many have speculated about which kind of shops will be allowed to re-open, it is understood that restaurants and cafes will remain shut at least for another month.
