May 3: First stage of deconfinement

The President of the Republic announced that deconfinement begins on May 3. It will be done in 4 stages: May 3, May 19, June 9 and June 30.

Since March 17, 2020, France has undergone 3 confinements, March 17, 2020, October 30, 2020 and March 19, 2021 in a large part of France (April 3 throughout the territory).

The coronavirus appears in China, in Wuhan, at the end of 2019. It is gradually spreading across the world. In Europe, it first affects Italy and Spain before reaching the whole continent. In order to fight against the spread, countries are organizing quarantines and setting up lockdowns.

First confinement

In France, the first confinement began on March 17, to end on May 11, 2020. For a month and 25 days, the French had to undergo heavy restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Establishment of a first state of emergency throughout the national territory on March 24, 2020. Only « essential » shops (food, pharmacies) remain open during authorized beaches. A dispensation is mandatory (shopping, animal outing, medical examination, family reason). Closure of nurseries, schools, secondary and university establishments as well as places of worship.

The deconfinement plan began on May 11, 2020 with the reopening of shops, return to school ,. The Ministry of the Interior requires a certificate for trips beyond 100 km. Non-essential « shops » reopen. Bars, cafes and restaurants remain closed as well as places of leisure (cinema, theater, theaters and concerts). Libraries, media libraries and museums must follow barrier gestures and distance. Continue teleworking is recommended.

Regarding the summer holidays, the French preferred to stay on the territory by respecting the instructions.

Second confinement

On October 30, 2020, the second confinement began for at least 4 weeks. This time, nurseries and schools could accommodate children. Telecommuting as much as possible recommended and visits to Ehpads possible. COVID test compulsory for any arrival on French soil and return of travel certificates. The open markets remain open but « non-essential » businesses remain closed, as do bars and restaurants. Inter-regional and foreign travel ban (tolerance applied for the weekend of November 1).

Deconfinement begins on November 28 with the reopening of all types of businesses. From December 15, curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. except for Christmas Eve. Establishments open to the public remain closed, as do parks and gardens. A new certificate to travel during the curfew.

Third containment

The third confinement takes place on April 3 throughout the metropolitan territory after the 19 reinforced departments. It lasts 4 weeks and ends on May 2. The school calendar is adapted to the period by including the 2 weeks of vacation (from April 12 to 25). During the previous week, including Easter, all the children go to school. The last week, only kindergarten and primary school were given face-to-face. The start of the school year begins on May 3, with adapted gauges.

As for the first 2 confinements, inter-regional travel is prohibited, walks possible within a radius of 10 km, with compulsory authorization. A certificate of curfew between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. « Non-essential » shops are closed as are restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters, nightclubs. Prohibition of large gatherings, of drinking alcohol on public roads.

The deconfinement will be done in 4 stages from May 3 and will end on June 30. From the first day, high school and college students (4th and 3rd) return to class under the constraint of a gauge. The French can once again travel between departments without authorization. Curfews and certificates are still required.

New dates and new measures

– May 19: The curfew will be moved to 9 p.m. Reopening of the terraces, with a limit of 6 people per table, as well as shops, museums, monuments, cinemas and theaters. Return of sports activities in covered places, concerts (800 spectators maximum indoors, 1,000 outdoors).
– June 9: Shift of the curfew to 11 p.m. Complete reopening of cafes and restaurants with a limit of six people per table maximum. Reopening of places of culture and sports establishments with a capacity of 5,000 people, subject to a health pass. Resumption of exhibitions and fairs under the same conditions. Opening of borders to foreign tourists subject to the health pass. Easing of teleworking and Authorization of gatherings of less than 1,000 people.
– June 30: Complete end of the curfew, End of gauges in restaurants, places of culture and sports halls and reopening of all establishments. Authorization of events of more than 1000 people outside while respecting barrier gestures.

Health pass

The health pass will allow the establishment of gradual reopening. Proof of vaccination or negative test will allow you to attend events of up to 5,000 people (stadiums, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, etc.) or enter French territory. It will not be compulsory to access the living areas. The pass can be on paper or digital via the « Tousanticovid » application.

Partial unemployment

Employees should still receive partial unemployment in May and June 2021, it is 84% ​​of net salary. For companies in the protected sectors (hotels and restaurants, tourism, sport and leisure, culture), the remainder payable by the employer is zero. For other sectors, the remainder is 15%.

Vaccination

Anti-Covid vaccination began in France on December 26, 2020. The campaign was aimed primarily at an audience defined by the health authorities.

For the first phase:

– Elderly people in EHPAD or in long-term care unit
– All caregivers over 50 or with co-morbidities
– Firefighters over 50 years of age or with co-morbidities
– Home helpers working with vulnerable people over 50 or with co-morbidities
– Over 75s since January 18
– Vulnerable disabled people taken care of in nursing homes and specialized homes
– Vulnerable people at very high risk of serious forms as mentioned by the orientation advice of the vaccination strategy

In France, 4 vaccines can currently be administered: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

For the second phase (February-MARCH 2021)

The first doses of AstraZeneca arrived in France on February 5, 2021.

– Caregivers, regardless of age
– People between 50 and 65 years old with co-morbidities
– Doctors, pharmacists and other city caregivers.
– People with serious illness
– People over 70, regardless of the situation, since March 31

For the 3rd phase (Spring 2021)

– People over 60 from April 16
– People between 65 and 75 years old, whatever happens in April
– People over 50 without comorbidity from May 15
– Security and education personnel
– Vulnerable and precarious populations
– People living in confined accommodation and closed places.

From mid-June, vaccination will be open to the entire population.

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