French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that Paris would be closed for a month due to an increase in new cases of coronavirus and had more patients in the city’s hospitals than during the country’s second wave.
“The epidemic is getting worse,” he said, according to Reuters. “Our responsibility now is not to let this get out of our control.”
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The news of another blockade in a city famous for its spring charm was a devastating blow to the city’s businesses that depend on tourists. The BBC said the city will keep schools open, but all non-essential businesses will have to close. There are also limits on how much a resident can exercise outdoors while away from home. The new rules take effect at midnight on Friday.
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The report pointed out that France has joined other EU countries in suspending AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine, but will resume its use on Friday. Castex said he will be inoculated with the vaccine to restore confidence in the country.
Castex said the country is entering its third wave and that the British variant accounts for about 75% of cases, Reuters reported. The city of 2.1 million inhabitants currently has an incidence rate of more than 400 infections per 100,000 inhabitants.