Macron Orders 15-Day Coronavirus Lockdown to Stem Spread

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that movements will be very strongly reduced for 15 days starting mid-Tuesday.

He stated in a televised address to the nation that France would follow other European countries in confining residents mostly to their homes during the pandemic, while the European Union considered closing its external borders to foreign travelers to impede infections.

Macron said that the citizens will only be permitted to leave their homes for necessary trips such as going to work or the supermarket.

He stated that the government decided to order the restrictions because people have not complied with earlier public health measures.

“We are at war; any violations will be penalized,”  Macron added.

The French President did not elaborate on the nature of the penalty that awaits those who fail to comply.

Moreover, Macron has announced that all trips between non-European countries, the EU, and the Schengen zone will close for 30 days starting mid-Tuesday.

However, French citizens on holiday will be able to come back to France and those living abroad were told to contact embassies and consulates who will help them be repatriated.

Earlier in the day, Macron met with his prime minister, top military adviser, intelligence coordinator and ministers of health, the interior, and foreign affairs to discuss the health crisis before he gave his address.

The 15-day plan was announced almost a week after a nationwide lockdown was implemented in Italy— the country with the most reported virus cases in the world except for China.

As of March 16, six of the 10 countries with the highest the number of confirmed cases worldwide are in Europe: Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, and the UK.

France has reported a total of 6,633 cases, including 148 deaths.

More cases of the virus, which causes respiratory disease Covid-19, continue to emerge, with outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, and Iran.

Transmission of viruses between humans happens when someone comes into contact with an infected person’s secretions, such as droplets in a cough. They can also be transmitted by coming into contact with something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.