France Scraps Covid Capacity Limits Despite 'fourth Wave' Risk
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published June 30, 2021 | 03:20 PM
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :France on Wednesday ended most capacity limits imposed in April on restaurants, cinemas, stores and other public venues, although the measures were extended in parts of the southwest over the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant.
The move came as the doctor who heads President Emmanuel Macron's coronavirus advisory panel said a "fourth wave" of cases was likely this autumn.
"I think we'll have a fourth wave but it will be much more subdued than the three previous ones, because vaccination levels aren't the same," Jean-Francois Delfraissy told France Inter radio.
He said the steep drops seen recently in daily new cases were "false assurances" given the spread of the Delta variant in a country where just one-third of the population has been fully vaccinated with two doses.
Delfraissy also welcomed a plan by Health Minister Olivier Veran to make Covid vaccinations mandatory for health workers and retirement home staff if at least 80 percent of them have not received the jabs by September.
Delfraissy had previously opposed any vaccine requirements but said: "A lot depends on what we do right now." In the southwestern Landes department, which includes Bordeaux, officials said the capacity limits would be extended to July 6 because of "weak collective immunity" in the area.
Around 45 percent of new cases are being caused by the Delta variant, which was first detected in India and has been blamed for an increase in daily Covid deaths in Britain.
Seven virus clusters have been discovered in businesses or retirement homes, Didier Couteaud of the regional health service in western France said during a video press conference.
An unvaccinated carer has been blamed for one of the retirement home outbreaks.
Elsewhere across France, events will no longer be limited to 1,000 people, whether indoors or outdoors, though participants will have to show proof of their Covid inoculation, a negative test or a recent infection.
Professional sporting matches will no longer be limited to 5,000 people, though capacity limits may still be applied to the summer music festivals that traditionally attract huge crowds.
The next stage in the lifting of restrictions will see nightclubs reopen on July 9.
Face masks remain required in public indoor spaces and in crowds outdoors, however.
Covid-19 has claimed 111,086 lives in France.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
14 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago