France's Macron Warns Second COVID-19 Outbreak Will Be Harder, More Deadly Than First
Sumaira FH Published October 29, 2020 | 12:27 PM
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic will be tougher and more deadly than the spring outbreak, as the disease continues to circulate widely across French mainland
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 29th October, 2020) French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic will be tougher and more deadly than the spring outbreak, as the disease continues to circulate widely across French mainland.
France has seen a resurgence in virus infection rate since early autumn, with the pandemic significantly gathering pace in October. Health authorities have registered daily record high of over 52,000 new cases on October 25, and confirmed that the country is in the grip of the second wave of the virus.
"Some countries, like Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, took harsher measures earlier than ours. Yet we are all at the same point: overwhelmed by a second wave that we now know will be harder, more deadly than the first," Macron tweeted.
France is due to enter a month-long nationwide lockdown on Friday. Bars, restaurants, non-alimentary shops will be closed, public gatherings and travels to other regions of the country are to be prohibited. However, schools and other educational facilities will remain open with intensified health protocols.
Macron also said in his address to the nation on Wednesday evening that the authorities will adjust restrictive measures to the evolution of the virus spread, which will be monitored.
He stressed that if the epidemiological situation improves within next two weeks, the government will consider easing of limitations, including reopening of some stores.
The government will also renew the system of partial unemployment for employers and workers, whose activities will be halted or limited by the lockdown, the French leader noted. The program was introduced during the first outbreak in March-May and then remained in effect for economic sectors hit hard by the pandemic. Companies under the scheme receive payments from the state, which partially covers staff wages.
According to Macron, EU countries will keep borders open for each other, but the bloc's external frontiers are to be shut. However, Europeans will be able to return to their countries from abroad freely, he added.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex is due to unveil more detailed information on the measures on Thursday.
As of Thursday, France has confirmed 1,280,215 COVID-19 cases with the death toll of 35,283.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
'Transforming Punjab Agriculture' plan to help develop farm sector on modern lin ..
SIU arrests robbery gang targeting bank customers
Asia Cricket Week from April 28
PSA World C'ships in May
Food Safety Authority raids hospitals' canteen across KP
US Fed's favored inflation measure accelerates in March
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
Rafiq-ul-Hujajj Committee to organize 2nd training session for pilgrims in Abbot ..
Defence Minister leads Pakistan's delegation to Kazakhstan SCO moot
PRCS Chairman, Moroccan envoy discuss humanitarian relations
50pc cut in subsidy of BRT service likely: CM’s aide
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo: Ukraine source
More Stories From World
-
US Fed's favored inflation measure accelerates in March
1 hour ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo: Ukraine source
1 hour ago -
French barber still trimming at 90
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo
1 hour ago -
UK man charged with 'Russia-backed arson plot' on Ukraine-linked targets
2 hours ago
-
EU toughens safety rules for online retailer Shein
2 hours ago -
French barber still trimming at 90
2 hours ago -
Barrett inspires Crusaders' return to form against Rebels
2 hours ago -
Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought
2 hours ago -
Blinken says US campus protests part of 'democracy'
2 hours ago -
Vietnam National Assembly head resigns amid graft purge
3 hours ago