Thanks to the Connexion once again. Latest update from President Macron
Lockdown measures will be eased in France from Monday May 11 as hoped, the prime minster has announced.
The rules explained today are largely as previously announced, though with new details – for example to travel more than 100km leaving your own department, you will need a new kind of attestation form indicating that it is for an urgent work or family reason.
As expected, France has been divided into green (good) or red (bad) areas depending on factors including numbers of new cases of people testing postive for Covid-19, how well the hospitals are coping, and availability of testing.
Areas classed as red are Ile-de-France, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Hauts-de-France.
In green areas, parks and gardens may reopen and collèges (early age secondary schools) may reopen from May 18.
In red areas collèges will remain closed this month, however in all areas primary schools will reopen in May, in most cases from Monday, though parents can choose whether or not to keep children at home in distance learning.
For the most part however the same rules will apply everywhere.
Beaches and lakes and water sports centres will remain closed, unless prefects decide otherwise.
There will also be a need for particular vigilance in Mayotte and Ile-de-France, the prime minister said, as Covid-19 cases are increasing in the former while in the latter they are not reducing as quickly as had been hoped.
The situation will be reevaluated at the end of May in hopes of further relaxation of rules from June 2.
There will be no obligatory confinement for ‘at risk’ groups, and no more attestation forms for ordinary trips outside the home.
However those who know they are likely to be more vulnerable due to advanced age or chronic health conditions should nonetheless continue as far as possible to maintain similar measures to during the confinement period or for example they should use masks if having occasional visitors.
Anyone experiencing likely symptoms such as a persistent dry cough, breathing difficulties or loss of taste or smell should contact their GP, a duty doctor or call 15 (Samu). You may be asked to take a free test in a hospital, test lab, in a drive-through service or at home. If you test positive your doctor will also alert the Assurance Maladie, who will make enquiries as to who you have had recent contact with.
These people will be contacted if necessary will be asked to self-isolate (and will be able to obtain free masks at pharmacies) and if will have the option of isolation away from home such as in a hotel room if it is difficult at home.
They will be asked to take sick leave from work if they cannot work from home.
They will be tested seven days after their last contact with the infected person, but even if testing negative will be asked to observe one more week of isolation so as to be sure.
A free number on 0800 130 000 remains in place if you have questions related to the epidemic and what you need to do.
With regard to struggling small businesses, the fonds de solidarité help will be renewed for May and employers’ social charges will be cancelled from March to May for all sectors that were forced to close.
Some 70 guides to work sectors will be available from the end of the week on the Work Ministry’s website, as well as a national framework on matters like physical distance at work. Homeworking is still recommended where possible.
