lockdown

Macron trumpets own record as he announces mandatory vaccines for health staff and Covid 'passports'

France — Analysis

The French president addressed the nation on the evening of Monday July 12th to announce that all health workers will have to get a Covid vaccination between now and September 15th. In addition, Emmanuel Macron said that citizens will soon require a Covid pass or 'passport' for many social activities; for cinemas from July 21st and for bars and restaurants from the start of August, as well as for train journeys and longer coach trips. At the same time the president took the opportunity to praise his own track record as head of state before and during the Covid crisis and to set out some potentially controversial reforms just months ahead of next April's presidential election. Ellen Salvi reports on the president's latest televised address.

Post-lockdown, restaurant staff in France are saying ‘adieu’ to exploitation

France — Report

In a gradual lifting of the restrictions introduced to contain the Covid-19 epidemic in France, cafés and restaurants were allowed to re-open in June after a lengthy period of closure. But employers report increasing difficulties in finding staff, many of whom appear to have decided, after months laid off, to quit insecure and demanding jobs in which they complain of being exploited and undervalued. Cécile Hautefeuille reports from the Mediterranean resort of La Grande-Motte.  

France lifting lockdown restrictions early starting with curfew

France — Link

French health minister says Delta variant only made up between 2 and 4 per cent of confirmed cases in the country.

New data shows France fell into recession in early 2021

France — Link

French statistics agency INSEE revised its GDP reading sharply down from +0.4% to -0.1%, saying data from the construction sector had been much weaker than its earlier figures had suggested.

Paris cafés reopen as France eases Covid-19 lockdown restrictions

France — Link

As of today, groups of up to six people are allowed to eat together at outdoor restaurant terraces and France's nationwide curfew is also being pushed back from 7pm to 9pm.

French cafés and stores impatient for new lockdown easing

France — Link

From Wednesday May 19th non-essential retail outlets will be able to reopen to customers for the first time in six weeks as France gradually winds down its third national lockdown in little more than a year.

A year of shutdown: the stories of life on furlough in France

France

For a little more than a year now, the succession of on-off lockdowns and restrictions on public and economic activity have severely disrupted the personal and professional lives of many millions in France, notably for those placed on furlough. Mediapart asked readers to provide their personal accounts of the long months deprived of work and largely confined to their homes. Cécile Hautefeuille presents here a selection of the stories that came back; some are sad, some are funny, and nearly all have an underlining theme of a questioning of the sense of their lives and jobs.

France spent €26 billion in 2020 to bail out its tourism industry

France — Link

France is currently experiencing its third lockdown as the government bets that by sacrificing the Easter holidays it can save the summer vacation period. 

Probe into claims that ministers attended 'secret' Paris dinners

France — Link

Prosecutors have started an investigation after a television report about secret meals in luxury restaurants in Paris in breach of Covid-19 restrictions - some allegedly attended by French governemnt ministers.

France cuts growth forecast as new nationwide lockdown starts

France — Link

 Finance minister Bruno Le Maire cut the country’s 2021 GDP growth forecast to 5% from 6%, following an 8.1% contraction last year.

Macron's superman image is fading fast as Covid cases in France surge

France — Link

The French president has imposed a national lockdown, but he still will not own up to his mistakes and broken promises, argues academic Philippe Marlière.

French schools to close as Macron announces wider Covid restrictions

France — Link

French president said in TV address that 'we will lose control if we do not move now', adding that France faces a 'race against the clock'.

France limits outdoor gatherings to six as Covid infections rise

France — Link

Health minister Olivier Véran also added three more départements, including the area around Lyon, to 16 already placed under tougher mobility restrictions.

Storm after unmasked thousands join illegal carnival in Marseille

France — Link

There has been widespread condemnation by the French government, medical professionals and local politicians after more than 6,000 mostly young people, many unmasked, flouted lockdown measures in Marseille to join an illegal carnival through the streets of the southern port city.

France introduces new lockdown for Paris and surrounding regions

France — Link

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday evening annnounced an initial one-month lockdown on public movement in Paris and 15 other regions as of midnight Friday to stem a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic that is already challenging hospital capacity.