Macron Decides to Close Schools, Universities in France

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday evening that all educational institutions, including nurseries, middle schools, high schools, and universities will be closed as of Monday until further notice.

Macron justified the decision of closing the educational institutions like the children and young people, according to scientists, who are the ones spreading the virus rapidly even if they have no symptoms.

The presidential decree came as a step to combat the outbreak of the new Coronavirus, which was renamed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as COVID2019.

Macron asked people who are over 70 years of age to stay in their homes lest they contract infection with the deadly Coronavirus.

The French President said, over a televised speech to the nation reported by (France 24) news channel, that the Coronavirus was the worst health crisis in France within a century.

He called citizens to limit their movements to the necessary and minimum distances to avoid possibilities of the infection.

Despite this, he affirmed in his speech that the first round of municipal elections scheduled for Sunday, March 15 will be held in time.

On the economic front, he asked the government to prepare a national and European recovery plan.

The president urged EU members to move quickly and forcefully to cope with the new challenges facing the 28-member bloc.

The president also declared that he would propose to US President Donald Trump, who currently heads the Group of Seven (G7), an exceptional initiative to confront the global epidemic threatening the global economy.

While calling for avoiding the closure of the national borders of France, Macron said that such a step should be a  temporary measurement to combat the spread of the deadly virus.

More steps would likely be necessary but should be approved at the European level.

Up to Thursday afternoon, France had 2,876   infections and 61 deaths

The French President also declared that Europe must overcome the economic crisis caused by the emerging Coronavirus through a strong and rapid move and take  recovery measures, whatever the cost.

He vowed to respond vigorously and quickly.

“All European governments must make decisions to support economic activity and recovery decisions, whatever the cost," Macron said.

The global economy has been hit hard by the outbreak of the virus within the weeks following its outbreak in China last December.