Paris goes under curfew as Europe battles spike in coronavirus cases

On October 14, France’s President Emmanuel Macron declared a state of health emergency as he anunced a curfew between 9 pm and 6 am in midst of a surge of second COVID-19 wave in Paris. Restrictions were imposed in at least eight metropolitan areas including—Ile-de-France, Greble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Saint Etienne, and Toulouse for up to four weeks to, effective October 17.

In a televised address to nation, President Emmanuel Macron outlined new restrictive measures outlined by France government, indicating that month-long curfew might as well extend to up to six weeks, depending on virus’ transmission rate. As many as 19 million residents will be impacted by new clampdown. “In view of its spread on national territory, COVID-19 epidemic constitutes a health disaster endangering, by its nature and its seriousness, health of population,” an online statement by French government read. “It justifies that state of health emergency be declared so that measures strictly proportional to health risks incurred and appropriate to circumstances of time and place can be taken,” it added. 

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Resurgence was 'worrying'

While he denied fact that coronavirus was spreading in France, and all of Europe uncontrollably, President Macron on LIVE TV said that resurgence was “worrying” and did put mounting pressure on healthcare services as days pass. Citing an aver of almost 20,000 fresh cases per day, Macron said that at least 200 critical patients were rushed to ICU, while as many as  32,000 succumbed in recent past. In growing trend, at least 32% of total cases w reported in ER were coronavirus patients, and as second wave is here, French government and health authorities are looking to protect vulnerable, and t strain system.

 Meanwhile, he called national lockdown as “disproportionate”, adding, a €135 penalty would be charged from curfew violators. However, restrictions on public transport were imposed, in private s more than six people were allowed. "We have to act. We need to put a brake on spread of virus," Macron said in a live-streamed national address, adding, country must prepare to “deal” with virus in 2021. 

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