French President Emmanuel Macron announced a state of emergency with updated COVID-19 restrictions as the world begins to experience a second major wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Macron declared Wednesday that Paris and eight other French cities would undergo a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the next four weeks.
The policy is set to take effect at 12 a.m. on Saturday.
Macron has said that those who go out during curfew will have to do so with good reason. There will be no restrictions on public transportation and travel between regions in France will not be prohibited.
“The aim is to reduce private contacts, which are the most dangerous contacts,” the French president said.
First-time violators of the policy will receive a fine of 135 euros. Repeat offenders will be eligible for a fine of 1,500 euros.
Macron also said the country aims to limit the size of family gatherings to six people, although exceptions will be made for groups with more than six people in their immediate families.
“You can still travel round France. You can still go to a holiday home, or meet with family members, but even within your family, you have to wear a mask if you haven’t been tested […] this is not a [disproportionate] reaction,” the president added.
On Wednesday, the nation’s health ministry announced 22,950 new COVID-19 infections. Macron said France’s goal is to reduce the number of per-day new infections to between 3,000 and 5,000.
In total, France has experienced at least 779,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and over 33,000 people have died.
