Covid-19: by trying to curb the virus “without excessive constraints”, Emmanuel Macron is playing the balancing act – archyworldys

Curb the virus, without paralyzing the country. Emmanuel Macron once again follows this ridge line to face the meteoric surge of the Omicron variant. As if, a few months before the presidential election, the Head of State had resolved to play the tightrope to the end in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.

At the end of a health defense council then a council of ministers held by videoconference, Monday, December 27, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a series of measures, in order to “Curb the spread” of this new highly contagious variant, which leads to record contamination figures in France, with in particular a peak at more than 100,000 new cases daily on December 25.

Main announcement aimed at ” to relieve “ hospital services, threatened with saturation: recourse to teleworking “Will be made compulsory” from the start of the school year “For all employees for whom it is possible”, at the rate of “Three days minimum per week and four days when possible”, announced the head of government, during a press conference, alongside the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran. From Tuesday, the Minister of Labor Elisabeth Borne, will lead a consultation with the social partners on this subject.

Return of gauges

Another major development: the return of gauges for large gatherings, set at a maximum of 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 outdoors, including in sports arenas. Only political meetings will not be concerned, within the framework of the presidential campaign. Standing concerts will be prohibited, as will the consumption of food and drink in all cinemas, theaters, sports facilities and public transport. Drinking a drink while standing in cafes and bars will also be prohibited. These provisions, adopted by the Council of Ministers, will apply “From Monday for a period of three weeks”, said Mr. Castex.

As for the obligation to wear a mask, already in effect everywhere indoors, it will be “Extent” outdoors, “Especially in all city centers”, announced the Prime Minister, specifying that the return of this unpopular rule will be the responsibility of the prefects, in conjunction with the mayors.

But the country may face an epidemic situation “Extremely tense”, according to Mr. Castex, because of the “Double wave” Delta and Omicron variants, the executive has not opted for radical measures, unlike several European countries. While doctors demanded it, the government did not choose to impose a curfew, especially for the evening of December 31. The Prime Minister simply called for the ” responsibility “ of the French, recommending them to “Limit major holidays” and to respect barrier gestures.

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