France may extend lockdown as many flout the rules

Friday, 20 March 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A policeman talks to a woman wearing a face mask in Madrid on March 19, 2020 - Spain announced deaths due to the novel coronavirus had risen about 30 percent over the past 24 hours to 767- AFP

PARIS (AFP): France’s two-week lockdown to try to stem the coronavirus is likely to be extended, officials said on Thursday, as the interior minister blasted “idiots” who are flouting the home confinement rules.

President Emmanuel Macron ordered French residents to stay at home from Tuesday except for essential excursions such as going to the doctor, walking the dog, or going for a solitary run, and banned any gatherings.

People can go to work only if homeworking is not possible.

But news reports have shown groups of people strolling in parks and the one-metre (three feet) safe inter-personal distance has been frequently ignored.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner accused people of underestimating the risk, telling Europe 1 radio: “There are people who think they are modern-day heroes by breaking the rules while they are in fact idiots.” Some officials have called for even stricter limits and Paris police are mulling closing riverside walkways – a move already enforced in Bordeaux.

Macron on Thursday urged companies and workers to continue their activities “in compliance with the health safety rules”.

Genevieve Chene, who heads France’s public health agency, said two to four weeks of confinement are needed for the outbreak to be adequately contained.

“It is likely that it is indeed necessary to extend (the containment measures) in order for the braking to be sufficient,” Chene said.