President Macron outlines way forward in new speech
French President Emmanuel Macron made a televised address to the nation from the Elysée Palace on Sunday evening - his fourth such address since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Here are key points the president made in his 20-minute address:
The virus situation
- From Monday, June 15, the whole of mainland France would become a 'green zone' for coronavirus restrictions, with only the overseas departments of Mayotte and French Guiana remaining on orange alert.
This means bars, cafés and restaurants in the Greater Paris area can reopen indoor areas, with strict hygiene measures.
Swimming pools, theatres and museums, and tourist accommodation can also reopen in the greater Paris area, as they already have across much of the rest of France.
These measures for the Paris region were not expected to come into effect until June 22, but have been brought forward because of the slowing rate of infection.
- Borders between Schengen Zone countries will reopen from Monday, June 15.
- Families will be able visit relatives in retirement homes, confirming previously announced news but, the president said, visits will remain at the discretion of staff at individual homes.
"Tomorrow, we’ll be able to turn the page on the first act of this epidemic,” the president said.
But, he warned: "This does not mean that the virus has disappeared."
"We must continue to avoid gatherings as much as possible, as we know that they are the main opportunities for the virus to spread: they will therefore remain under close supervision.
"We will have to live with the virus for a long time yet," he said.
Read more: Key quotes from President Macron's speech
- France has committed €500billion to preserve its economy.
- Taxes will not increase.
- All schools except lycees will reopen from June 22, and attending school will be mandatory in crèches, écoles and collèges. Schools, he said, would begin preparations to welcome back all pupils from Monday June 15.
- The delayed second round of municipal elections will take place, as expected, on June 28.
On the issue of police violence, France will be "uncompromising" in the face of racism, but will not "erase" its history by "dismantling statues," he said.
The president said he will give an update on the situation and more on the way forward in another speech in July (no precise date given)
You can watch the full speech here
