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The Covid-19 situation in France remains fragile but a new national lockdown is not necessarily inevitable, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Attal said that while the numbers of new Covid-19 cases were high and while the emergence of new variants was concerning, the overall situation was stable.
“A lockdown is not predestined, and our collective efforts will allow us to avoid that,” Attal said.
He also pointed out that the curfew has been beneficial in keeping the numbers in check.
His comments came shortly after President Emmanuel Macron held a health security council meeting with chief advisers.
Attal added that there are currently no plans to change the February school vacation schedule – seen as a key precursor to any further move towards a full nationwide lockdown.
For now, French holidaymakers will be allowed to visit other parts of the country, including ski resorts, but ski lifts remain closed for now.
Restrictions have been introduced for travel abroad, including to overseas territories where tourism has been suspended. Only travelers with valid exemptions, for family or business reasons, will be allowed to travel.
France, which has the seventh highest death toll from Covid-19 in the world, has chosen to stick to its current 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew, instead of opting for longer lockdowns complete observed in UK and Germany.
France has more than 3.2 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more than 77,000 deaths.
Prime Minister Jean Castex and Minister of Health Olivier Véran will hold a joint press conference on Thursday evening.
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