Non-essential businesses close from midnight, announces Edouard Philippe
Before the Director-General of Health, Jérôme Salomon, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe spoke this Saturday evening. Non-essential businesses like bars, restaurants and cinemas will be closed from midnight , he said. He confirmed that the first round of the elections was maintained.
"On Thursday evening, the president addressed the nation to announce strong measures to curb the Covid-19. We are doing everything. What we are observing are two things. On the one hand, an acceleration of the spread of the virus and in certain regions a significant increase in the number of people in intensive care. On the other hand, the first measures taken are imperfectly applied. The vast majority of scientists say it: the best way is social distancing. I'm not telling you it's a nice term. It puts us off because we are a happy people. But we saw too many people in cafes, restaurants. It is France that we all love but several weeks, it is not what we have to do.
In connection with the president, I have therefore decided until further notice the closure of all places welcoming the public not essential to life in the country: cinema, bars, cinemas, nightclubs. The places of worship will remain open but the ceremonies are suspended. All shops are closed except for essential shops: food, pharmacy, banks, tobacco shop. All public services will of course remain open. All urban transport will continue to operate.