Castex announces curfew extension for France

All of France is to go under a stricter curfew starting Saturday at 6 p.m. (1700GMT) for at least 15 days to fight spread of the coronavirus, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said.

He also announced on Thursday strict new controls for those arriving in France from countries outside the European Union.

Starting Monday, they must produce a PCR test with negative results and self-isolate for seven days followed by a new, negative test.

France wants to coordinate a response with the European Union about arrivals from EU countries, he said.

The French government is trying to avoid a third lockdown with partial measures like curfews that the prime minister said were both "preventative" and "reactive."

Most regions were under an 8 p.m. (1900GMT) curfew.

That means that stores must close down by 6pm - depriving already struggling businesses of a precious few extra hours of work, and of clients.

Bars and restaurants have been closed for months.

The average contamination rate for COVID-19 stands at about 16,000 people per day. France is doing better than some European neighbours, but still has one of the highest death counts, at more than 69,000.