France brings in new lockdown - extends curfew

Friday, 19 March 2021 10:40

While the Swiss government ponders the next stages, France is locking down in 16 regions in an effort to cut the spread of the virus.

None of the affected départments border Switzerland – the lockdown is focussed around Paris.

But there is a small change to the curfew for the rest of the country – from tomorrow it will be extended until 7pm. That's an hour later than the current rule.

The lesson of France may be something Swiss ministers will be looking at. Many believe President Emmanuel Macron made a mistake in January when he overruled his advisers and didn’t bring in a lockdown at the time – hoping the curfew would be sufficient.

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