France about to lift nationwide lockdown says Emmanuel Macron

President Emmanuel Macron said that France will be looking forward to lift nationwide lockdown on December 15.

The shops and sales will be authorised to reopen on Saturday after so many weeks of closure.

While addressing a TV channel, Mr Macron said that some restrictions would remain in place. This is to make sure that a third wave of covid virus or another lockdown won’t be happening again.

The present lockdown came into action since the end of October. This one will be replaced by a countrywide curfew from 9pm to 7am, starting 15 December.

Mr Macron said Christmas Eve and New Years Eve would be exempt from the curfew.

“We will be able to travel without authorisation, including between regions, and spend Christmas with our families,” he said.

He also added that people should avoid unnecessary travel and also shared optimistic views regarding the Covid vaccine.

He said that he hopes that the first vaccine would be ready and available by the end of December or by the beginning of next year.

Mr Macron’s comments come as the country’s death toll from Covid-19 surpasses 50,000.

French health authorities said an additional 458 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total figure to 50,237.