Reconfinement: details of the measures presented by the government

Prime Minister Jean Castex and five ministers detailed the terms of this new re-containment which should make it possible to combat the second wave of coronavirus.

During a press conference this Thursday at 6.30 p.m., Prime Minister Jean Castex and several ministers clarified the contours of the reconfinement announced the day before by the President of the Republic, during his televised address. This new turn of the screw should make it possible to fight the second wave of coronavirus which is sweeping over the territory. “Since the virus is accelerating, we must also speed up,” the Prime Minister recalled. These measures apply to the entire metropolitan territory as well as to Martinique from Thursday evening at midnight.

A certificate will be necessary to leave his home but “only for certain reasons”, indicates the Prime Minister who lists the same reasons as the president on Wednesday evening (work, medical appointment, etc.). This certificate will be available on the government website and on the TousAntiCovid application. Travel to exercise or walk your animal will be possible for “one hour maximum” and within “a radius of one kilometer from the home”. Sports halls and gymnasiums will be closed and outdoor team sports prohibited.

Additional authorizations are planned “to accompany a child to school or to pick him up to go to a public service or to an operator providing a public service mission”, he added. In addition, permanent certificates may be issued by employers and schools. “All public transport services will remain open and their level of service maintained.”

Schools, colleges and high schools will remain open. Wearing a mask at school is extended to primary school children from the age of 6, whereas until then it was reserved only for college students, announced the Prime Minister. The Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer then detailed the reinforced health protocol: “We have a fundamental duty to leave our schools open as long as we can”, recalling that there is “little contamination in the school environment “.

All gatherings are prohibited, however places of worship remain open. Ceremonies are prohibited there, except for funerals, within the limit of 30 people, and weddings within the limit of 6 people. During lockdown last spring, the limit for funerals was 20 people. As for marriages, they were prohibited. “A tolerance will be applied for the ceremonies planned this weekend of All Saints’ Day, as well as for trips to cemeteries and flower shops,” said the head of government.

On the model of the first confinement, essential shops remain open. “All wholesale businesses, stores and garden centers too, so that professionals can continue to stock up,” said the Prime Minister. For their part, “parks, gardens, forests, and beaches” will be able to receive the public.

“On the other hand, establishments that offer extracurricular, sporting or artistic activities, such as conservatories or sports clubs, are closed. Hotels can keep a small activity for essential business trips, but restaurants in these hotels will be closed, only room service can work. “

“The closed shops, as well as the restaurants, will not be able to welcome the public, but will be able to continue to function for the activities of delivery and collection of orders”, indicated the Prime Minister.

On the cultural side, events, cinema and performing arts businesses will be closed.

For her part, the Minister of Labor, Elisabeth Borne, recalled that “is not an option” but “an obligation” for workers, employees or self-employed who can exercise their activity remotely. A worker who can, has to telecommute five days out of five. For jobs which cannot be carried out remotely: “it will be necessary to have a certificate from the employer”, declares Elisabeth Borne.

The details of the new protocol in business will be posted on Thursday evening on the website of the Ministry of Labor.

She then detailed three cases:

• A worker who can perform all his tasks in telework must do so 5 days a week.
• Those who cannot perform all their tasks remotely can go to the workplace for some of their time.
• For trades that cannot be performed remotely: as in the remaining shops, in the TSO, in agriculture or in all the home workers, “it will be necessary to have an attestation from the employer”.

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