France to Enter 4-Month Transition After Emergency State

(Bloomberg) --

France will enter a 4-month transition after the end of the sanitary emergency state, government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said on Wednesday following the weekly cabinet meeting.

While the sanitary emergency state, which gives extra powers to authorities to curb the propagation of the coronavirus epidemic, will end on July 10, some exceptional provisions will remain as part of the transition, Ndiaye told reporters.

“Sanitary conditions have changed,” Ndiaye said. “The epidemic can be considered as contained” even as “the virus continues to circulate, even discreetly, and we need to remain armed.”

During the transition, the prime minister will retain powers over movements and access to transportation, she said. The prime minister will also be able to set up extra rules regarding large gatherings.

In case of a second lock-down, parliamentary approval would be required, Ndiaye added.

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