Official French figures released on Sunday evening indicated deaths so far in the country from Covid-19 coronavirus infection had risen to a total of 674, up by 112 since Saturday, while there were 16,018 cases of people tested positive for the virus.
Unions have called an across-the-board strike by public sector employees on Thursday against President Emmanuel Macron's economic reform programme, in a key test of strength that is likely to severely affect transport, education, hospital and administrative services in particular.
A planned day of strike action on March 22nd by public sector workers in protest at President Emmanuel Macron's plans to cut 120,000 jobs from the public payroll during his term in office will be joined by railworkers, one of the biggest trades unions, the CGT, announced on Friday.
