During the situation update relating to the Covid-19 epidemic which took place this Thursday, April 22, 2021, Prime Minister Jean Castex referred to a series of measures concerning gradual deconfinement. We take stock of the announcements.
Reopening of schools on April 26
As Emmanuel Macron announced in his last televised address, the reopening of nursery and elementary schools will take place on Monday April 26, 2021. To do this, he announced the establishment of a ” strict sanitary protocol “Which provides for the closing of classes as soon as there is a case of contamination as well as a” massive capacity building for saliva tests at all levels for students and staff “.
As of Monday, 400,000 saliva tests will be offered each week to elementary schools, with a goal of reaching 600,000 by mid-May. In addition, the Prime Minister announced the order for 64 million self-tests which will be made available to “ all National Education staff »From next week, and high school students from May 10.
Half-gauge high schools and colleges from May 3
Regarding middle and high school students, the Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer announced that “ the week of May 3, teaching will be hybrid – in half-gauge – in high schools »And that students in 4th and 3rd year of the 15 most affected departments will also be in half-gauge.
Regarding exams, he confirmed that face-to-face exams will be maintained for the college certificate and the baccalaureate, but also in preparatory classes and higher education. For the BTS tests, also maintained for the month of May, the minister announced that a remedial session could be organized in July.
Deconfinement and reopening of shops, terraces and leisure activities
The Prime Minister confirmed that the constraints of travel during the day (limitation of 10 km around the home) will be lifted from May 3. He also mentioned the reopening of shops, terraces and certain cultural and sporting activities around mid-May if the situation allows it. He also specified that some decisions could be ” territorialized “And will be carried out” de cautiously »And in stages. Details on the subject will be provided ” in the next few days “.
Curfew maintained “until further notice”
Regarding the curfew introduced between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., the rule remains unchanged as mentioned by Jean Castex: ” the curfew is maintained and will be until further notice ”. “We will see in mid-May where the epidemic situation will be “, He explained.
Reinforced border controls
Faced with the emergence of variants, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a reinforced control system from this Saturday, April 24, 2021 for people arriving from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa. South and India. Travelers arriving in these countries will therefore have to provide proof of a PCR test of less than 36 hours upon arrival. They will also be subject to a “ in quarantine of 10 days decided by prefectural decree “, And this, ” whatever the result of their test, positive or negative ”On arrival in France, announced the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin.
