Emmanuel Macron announced new measures on Monday March 16 to slow the progression of the virus and avoid an overflow of hospital resuscitation services. France is not yet at the containment stage, but contacts and travel must be limited as much as possible. Under threat of penalties. Protective equipment will be reserved primarily for health professionals and a field hospital will be deployed quickly in Alsace.
- The rules on meetings and travel must be respected under penalty of sanctions
- A military field hospital set up in Alsace
- The pension reform suspended and the 2nd round of municipal elections postponed
“We are at war”. Emmanuel Macron no longer hides the gravity of the situation as the number of people affected by Covid-19 continues to increase (more than 6,633 cases on Monday evening and 148 deaths). He announced new measures on Monday evening to try to curb the epidemic. Without going as far as general confinement, the President called for an end to family and friendly meetings and gatherings in the street, imposed a limit on travel which is only authorized for what is strictly necessary and once again called for priority to be given to work at distance.
And this time, the power raises the tone: Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had lectured the French on Saturday March 14, regretting that the precautionary measures were not sufficiently respected. Emmanuel Macron announces this time sanctions for those who do not follow the rules laid down. The police will be called upon to ensure in particular that the exceptional reasons for travel are respected.
A military field hospital in Alsace
The President also announced the deployment of new protective devices for health professionals who remain a priority for the supply of protective masks (whether they are professionals working in town or in hospital) and the implementation place in Alsace, one of the first regions of France affected by the epidemic, of a military field hospital.
All these measures, which aim to prevent health services from being overwhelmed and the health situation from getting out of control, are accompanied by strong social and political decisions. After having already postponed the application of the unemployment insurance reform, Emmanuel Macron announced yesterday the suspension of the pension reform. And, as expected, the postponement of the second round of municipal elections which, according to the Prime Minister, could be held on June 21.
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