The French government decided on Saturday to extend the health emergency imposed to combat the novel coronavirus in France for two months until July 24, according to Health Minister Olivier Véran.
A draft law discussed by the Council of Ministers on Saturday and will be referred to Parliament on Monday stated that the state of emergency that started on March 24 has been extended because lifting it on May 23 will be "premature" and because it "showed that the risk of a pandemic spreading again" could happen "If the procedures, already are in force, are lifted suddenly.”
The draft law made clear, in particular, the quarantine conditions for inpiduals arriving in France who were infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
He also mentioned the implementation of a "data system" that includes sick people and their surroundings for a period not exceeding one year.
This procedure aims to "strengthen the legal framework" and "expand it to include the challenges of lifting isolation," which is scheduled to start on May 11, according to Véran after the cabinet session.
"We have to live with it for a certain period of time," he added.
In the same context, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that "learning to live with the virus is a challenge for the coming months."
The novel coronavirus has killed 24,594 people in France, according to the latest official count Friday evening.
In last April, the French government’s health adviser warned that about 17 million people in France may be infected with the novel coronavirus due to age or chronic diseases.
France has been locked down since March 17 in an attempt to slow down the spread of the virus, and officials have continuously warned that these measures will take time to bear fruit.
The French are only allowed to go out to shop and do urgent things.
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