France will widen strict lockdown restrictions - which have already been in place in several areas including Paris - to the whole country to combat a third wave of coronavirus sweeping Europe, reports Sky News.
In a televised address to the nation, President Emmanuel Macron said the measures will come into effect on Saturday and be in place for at least a month.
He warned the country would "lose control if we do not move now", introducing restrictions including closing non-essential shops and shutting schools for three weeks.
He said timetables will be adapted to allow for one week of online lessons, followed by a two-week holiday.
There will be a month-long domestic travel ban, and a nationwide 7pm-6am curfew will remain in place.
Mr Macron said "the numbers are charging away from us" and France is now faced with "a race against the clock".
The extended measures mark a departure from the government's policy in recent months, which has focused on regionalised restrictions.