France’s daily coronavirus infections tally fell on Monday to its lowest level since the start of the year, as Prime Minister Jean Castex declared that the country was "finally coming out of this health crisis", reports Radio France Internationale.
Just over a week before the reopening of shops, cinemas, museums and bar and restaurant terrasses, a total of 3,292 new cases were reported Monday, with the seven-day moving average of daily infections also at a low.
Meanwhile the number of patients in intensive care dropped to 4,870. While deaths were slightly up Monday at 291, the seven-day average was at its lowest since October 26th.
“We are reaching our goal and it is good news," Castex told daily Le Parisien in an interview detailing the government’s strategy for reopening the country after months of intensive lockdown.
“There is "a major difference compared to last summer: we have learned from the past and, above all, we have vaccination.”
Bringing France out of lockdown was a delicate process that needed to be done gradually and carefully, Castex said, adding that some the rules were a work in progress.
There will be a limit of 50 percent capacity on restaurant terrasses, with a maximum of six people to a table, while in cinemas only one seat in three may be occupied.