More French cities at risk of curfew

Several more French departments are to pass into the ‘maximum alert’ category for Covid-19 from tomorrow (Thursday October 22) – likely to mean curfews in new major cities being imposed.

A list of these new departments will be announced at the prime minister’s press conference tomorrow at 17:00, said government spokesman Gabriel Attal.

With nine major cities already under a 21:00 to 6:00 curfew since Saturday, several others are liable to join them because they have either passed or are rising towards the ‘maximum alert’ levels on each of three key criteria that are used.

These are the infection rates, infection rates among older people and the percentage of intensive care beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. However they are used as a guideline and authorities do not automatically impose a curfew once the levels are passed.

Cities currently most at risk include Orléans, Clermont-Ferrand, Toulon, Dijon, Tours and Strasbourg. Nice is also at risk as it has passed the maximum alert thresholds on infections among ‘seniors’ and on intensive care, however its overall infection rate is currently relatively well under control.

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