France: Authorities extend lockdown measures until May 11 due to COVID-19 outbreak /update 19

Event

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday, April 13, that the nationwide lockdown will be extended until May 11. According to Macron, progress had been made in containing the virus, but the battle has not yet been won. Under the lockdown, individuals are prohibited from leaving their homes except for essential needs, such as shopping for food or seeking medical assistance. The announcement comes after authorities in Paris implemented new restrictions on  April 8, which banned outdoor exercise between 10:00 and 19:00.

The announcement comes after authorities in Paris implemented new restrictions on April 8, banning outdoor exercise between 10:00 and 19:00 (local time). Authorities also introduced an International Circulation Declaration on April 6. The declaration is required for all travelers seeking to transit through French territories and applies to all forms of transportation. Travel between metropolitan France and overseas territories are also affected by the measure.

On April 9, Air France-KLM, a Franco-Dutch airline, announced that most of its fleet will be grounded over the coming weeks amid a global drop in consumer demand due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The company recorded a 57 percent passenger drop in March. As such, officials announced that approximately 90 percent of the Air France-KLM fleet will be grounded over April and May. Key routes between the two main hubs, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), will nonetheless be maintained. Due to the global travel restrictions in place, further business details beyond May cannot be provided according to the airline's management.

As of April 13, 136,779 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed nationwide, as well as 14,967 associated fatalities. Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.