Macron outlines France’s steps out of lockdown

People in France will be able to go back to their favorite shops and attend religious services again next week after a month of partial virus lockdown — but they’ll have to wait until at least Jan. 20 to savor a meal in a restaurant or enjoy a gym workout.

President Emmanuel Macron laid out new rules Tuesday in France’s virus strategy, after imposing nationwide restrictions last month as virus infections, hospitalizations and deaths surged around Europe.

France’s infection rate per 100,000 people is now less than a third of what it was when November began, and the number of people in hospitals and intensive care has been trending downward for a week.

“The peak of the second wave is over,” Macron announced in a televised address to the nation.

The situation remains tense, however, with hundreds of virus- related deaths per day, so the cautious emergence from the lockdown reflects that.

On Dec. 15, some museums and cinemas will be allowed to open, and the nationwide stay- at- home rules loosened. France will re-introduce its 9pm curfew, and the strict associated fines. Macron said that the will curfew be waived for Christmas eve and New Year’s eve. On Jan. 20, and only if daily infections drop below the 5,000 mark, restaurants and gyms will be allowed to reopen.