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France Plans to Lift Lockdown on Case-by-Case Basis, Elysee Says

France Plans to Lift Lockdown on Case-by-Case Basis, Elysee Says

(Bloomberg) --

France will lift its coronavirus lockdown countrywide on a case-by-case basis, rather than region by region, an official at the president’s office said.

President Emmanuel Macron told mayors on Thursday that the end of the lockdown will happen within a “national framework” that can be adapted locally, depending on health conditions and public transport, the official said, asking not to be identified in line with government rules.

The end of the lockdown won’t be handled differently from one region to another because the situation isn’t homogeneous within regions, the official at the Elysee palace added.

The government is working on a detailed plan to lift restrictions progressively on non-essential travel and revive its economy from May 11 following weeks of confinement to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. The virus has killed more than 20,000 people in France, which is among the hardest-hit countries in Europe alongside Italy and Spain.

Macron told mayors that schools will re-open progressively, prioritizing younger pupils and those with learning difficulties. There will be no obligation for pupils to return to school, the official said, adding that Macron also encouraged mayors to purchase masks for the general public.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.