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| Third lockdown looms in France as Senate extends government’s ‘stay-at-home’ powers until early May | Third lockdown looms in France as Senate extends government’s ‘stay-at-home’ powers until early May |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The upper chamber of France’s parliament has voted to grant authorities the power to impose a new lockdown until early May. The government has admitted that the existing curfew has failed to stop the spread of Covid-19. | The upper chamber of France’s parliament has voted to grant authorities the power to impose a new lockdown until early May. The government has admitted that the existing curfew has failed to stop the spread of Covid-19. |
| The government had initially asked to extend the current state of emergency until June 1. It allows authorities to impose various restrictions, including stay-at-home orders. | The government had initially asked to extend the current state of emergency until June 1. It allows authorities to impose various restrictions, including stay-at-home orders. |
| The measure would be “consistent with the dynamics of the epidemic,” Health Minister Olivier Veran said, arguing that “time is needed for the vaccination campaign to fully take effect.” | The measure would be “consistent with the dynamics of the epidemic,” Health Minister Olivier Veran said, arguing that “time is needed for the vaccination campaign to fully take effect.” |
| Not voting for the extension would be akin to “stabbing the government in the back in the middle of a battle,” Senator Claude Malhuret said during debates. | Not voting for the extension would be akin to “stabbing the government in the back in the middle of a battle,” Senator Claude Malhuret said during debates. |
| Senators chose to extend the emergency powers, but only until May 3, a month less than what the government wanted. Nevertheless, Veran said he “understands” the parliament’s desire to have more opportunities for policy review. | Senators chose to extend the emergency powers, but only until May 3, a month less than what the government wanted. Nevertheless, Veran said he “understands” the parliament’s desire to have more opportunities for policy review. |
| The government is under growing pressure to impose another nationwide lockdown, the third since the start of the pandemic. The first lockdown was announced in mid-March 2020, when the country was first hit by Covid-19, and lasted until early May of that year. | The government is under growing pressure to impose another nationwide lockdown, the third since the start of the pandemic. The first lockdown was announced in mid-March 2020, when the country was first hit by Covid-19, and lasted until early May of that year. |
| Another lockdown was put in place from the end of October until mid-December, as officials were fighting the second wave of infections in the autumn. The stay-at-home orders were then replaced with an 8pm-6am curfew, which became 6pm-6am earlier this month. | Another lockdown was put in place from the end of October until mid-December, as officials were fighting the second wave of infections in the autumn. The stay-at-home orders were then replaced with an 8pm-6am curfew, which became 6pm-6am earlier this month. |
| Gabriel Attal, a spokesperson for the government, said on Wednesday that the curfew has failed to “sufficiently slow down” the spread of the virus. Attal added that a “very strict lockdown” is among the scenarios that are being assessed. | Gabriel Attal, a spokesperson for the government, said on Wednesday that the curfew has failed to “sufficiently slow down” the spread of the virus. Attal added that a “very strict lockdown” is among the scenarios that are being assessed. |
| Attal noted that President Emmanuel Macron requested “additional analyses” of all options, but “the continuation of the current [legal] framework seems unlikely.” | Attal noted that President Emmanuel Macron requested “additional analyses” of all options, but “the continuation of the current [legal] framework seems unlikely.” |
| Health officials recorded nearly 27,000 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, which is the biggest daily increase since mid-November. | Health officials recorded nearly 27,000 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, which is the biggest daily increase since mid-November. |
| Overall, France has had more than 3.1 million cases since the start of the pandemic, and 74,456 deaths. | Overall, France has had more than 3.1 million cases since the start of the pandemic, and 74,456 deaths. |
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