“At 9 p.m., everyone at home”: the French government details the new restrictions

Paris | Shops and services closed, certificates necessary to travel during the night curfew in Paris and 8 other large cities, private parties prohibited throughout France in establishments open to the public: the government detailed on Thursday the new measures to fight the epidemic of COVID-19.

• Read also: COVID-19: night curfew in several cities in France from Saturday

Prime Minister Jean Castex and several members of his government declined at a press conference the implications of the 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew for some 20 million inhabitants announced the day before by President Emmanuel Macron.

In the Paris region, as well as in the eight French metropolises at maximum alert level, including Lille and Marseille, “at 9 p.m., everyone should be at home,” insisted Mr. Castex.

“All places, businesses or services open to the public will be closed” during this time slot, he said.

The head of government has also drawn up the list of exemptions, including “health, medico-social establishments” or restaurants practicing home delivery.

“If you have a train or a plane arriving or leaving after 9 p.m., you will need to be able to show your ticket if you are checked,” he added, stressing that travel “to get your animal out of company near you ”will also be tolerated.

A system of attestation, similar to the one put in place during the spring confinement, will be put in place again, with the same penalties in the event of violation of the rule: a fine of 135 euros, up to 6 months of possible imprisonment and a 3,750 euro fine in the event of a double recidivism.

The Prime Minister has also toughened the rules across the country, including banning “all private parties – such as weddings or student parties -” in establishments open to the public.

Mr. Castex also announced that caregivers who waive their annual leave would receive a compensatory allowance of 110 to 200 euros gross per day.

To support businesses hit by the curfew, the solidarity fund already set up by the government will be extended to other beneficiaries.

The COVID-19 epidemic continues to progress in France, where more than 33,000 people have died since March.