In December 2019, an epidemic of viral-like pneumonia appeared in the city of Wuhan in China. On January 7, 2020, Covid-19, linked to a new coronavirus is discovered and a link is established between the virus and the cases of pneumonia identified.

Coronaviruses are viruses that have long been known in humans as well as in animals. Most of the time, they cause mild illnesses such as the common cold. However, some coronaviruses cause more serious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) which appeared in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.

The virus is transmitted mainly by postilions (coughing and sneezing) or during direct contact (by kissing each other for example). It is also transmissible through close contact (such as when sharing the same place of life) and through contaminated objects. There are many measures to limit its transmission as much as possible.

In closed environments, the risk is greater of contracting Covid-19 than outside. This is why regular ventilation of the premises is essential, or a ventilation system, if necessary. In schools, businesses or even medical practices, professionals must ventilate every hour or between each patient. 

In order to protect yourself from the coronavirus, the same protective measures as for the flu must be taken: 

• Wash your hands regularly
• Sneeze and cough into his elbow 
• Use tissues which are then thrown away after use
• Avoid people at risk
• Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from another person
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay at home if symptoms appear and contact the doctor by phone
• Wear a mask

On May 19, France began its second phase of gradual deconfinement. Curfew begins at 21 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. Some establishments can accommodate the public with gauges. The terraces of bars and restaurants can also receive clients, up to a limit of 50% of their capacity.

Since May 3, the French can circulate on the territory from 6 a.m. to 19 p.m., without certificate. The curfew remains in effect from 19 p.m.. However, starting on May 19, it will start later, at 21 p.m. and then at 23 p.m. on June 19. This restriction measure must be completely removed from June 30. 

The curfew begins at 19 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. throughout France. All regions are now subject to reinforced restrictions (containment), to curb the coronavirus epidemic. It is therefore necessary to bring the certificate to travel. It is unique and it is necessary to check the box according to the time at which the person leaves (during curfew, from 19 p.m. to 6 a.m. or during confinement, from 6 a.m. to 19 p.m.). In addition, going out for a walk within a radius of 10 km requires being able to present proof of address and not a certificate.  

Since March 19, a third confinement has been decreed for 19 departments: Aisne, Alpes-Maritimes, Essonne, Eure, Hauts-de-Seine, Nord, Oise, Paris, Pas-de-Calais, Seine-et-Marne, Seine- Saint-Denis, Seine-Maritime, Somme, Val-de-Marne, Val-d’Oise, Yvelines, the Rhône, the Nièvre and the Aube. This measure will last 4 weeks. It is possible to travel within a radius of 10 km, for an unlimited time and with proof. The curfew now begins at 19 p.m. throughout France.

Please note: there is an exceptional travel certificate for residents of confined departments (travel from 6 a.m. to 19 p.m.) and another certificate for going out during curfew hours (from 19 p.m. to 6 a.m.).

As of March 12, partial confinement is extended for the next three weekends in the agglomeration of Dunkirk. Update of March 5 – Partial containment on weekends is established in the Pas-de-Calais department, for the coming weeks.

Update February 26 – Partial containment has been established in Dunkirk, Nice and in the cities of the coastal urban area which stretches from Menton to Théoule-sur-Mer, in the Alpes-Maritimes, for the next two weeks -end.

Since January 16, the curfew has been brought forward to 18 p.m. throughout the metropolitan area.

In January, the situation was more worrying in certain areas in France. It is for this reason that the curfew is brought forward to 18 p.m. in 23 departments: Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardennes, Doubs, Jura, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Haute- Saône, Vosges, Moselle, Territoire de Belfort, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Bas-Rhin, Bouches-du-Rhône, Haut-Rhin, Allier, Vaucluse, Cher, Côte d’Or, Alpes de Haute-Provence. Drôme and Var will be affected by this measure from January 12. 

The measures of the second strict confinement have been lifted since December 15. A new restriction comes into force, a curfew is established at the national level, from 20 p.m. to 6 a.m. A new exceptional travel certificate must therefore be completed to go out during the curfew, except for December 24. It is available for download or in digital version (Tous Anti-Covid application). From November 28, it will be authorized to travel within a radius of 20 km around your home, for a maximum of 3 hours. On January 15, if the conditions are met, the confinement will be lifted and replaced by a curfew throughout the territory, from 21 p.m. to 7 a.m. An exception will be made for New Years Eve on December 24 and 31, so that the French can “spend the holidays with the family”.

Containment measures are eased on December 4. The new discharge certificate is available. 

The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, announced a second confinement of the French population, from Friday, October 30, for a minimum period of four weeks (until December 1). Previous measures, such as the curfew, have not proved effective enough to stem the epidemic. The health situation is unprecedented in the world, with a second wave more “brutal” than the first. In fact, 60% of intensive care beds are occupied by patients suffering from the disease, ie “twice as many as two weeks ago”. The Prime Minister, Jean Castex, specified that “we will have to manage in November a peak of hospitalizations higher than in last April.” Therefore, the French are reconfined. What changes, however, compared to the first confinement in March, is that nurseries and schools (from kindergarten to high school) remain open. Wearing a mask is compulsory from the age of six. Teleworking must be massive and certain sectors will continue their activities (public service, construction, farms and factories). Visiting an elderly person in an nursing home is possible, provided that the health protocol is respected. In addition, as last spring, an exceptional travel certificate is to be provided for each authorized outing (professional or medical reasons, imperative, making essential purchases or taking a short walk of one hour daily, within a radius of one kilometer around his home). It can be generated on the Tous Anti-Covid app or downloaded in several formats.

Update May 19 – The obligation to wear a mask can extend to several urban outdoor areas, but also to an entire department, especially if it is placed under enhanced surveillance. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circulation of the coronavirus. Currently, the mask must be worn in the department North part, Yvelines and Doubs, even dehors. On the other hand, on beaches, in green spaces and on the coastline of Alpes-Maritimes,the obligation to wear a mask has been lifted. Since May 19, in Moselle municipalities of less than 2 inhabitants, citizens are no longer obliged to wear the mask outside.

To date, on February 18, wearing a mask is compulsory in all closed public places (in companies, restaurants, shops, etc.) but also outside in many cities. It is imposed from the age of six in France in primary schools and 11 in other places where it is compulsory, such as for adults. In addition, since February 8, in the interior and exterior spaces of schools, it is mandatory to wear a “general public” or category 1 surgical mask.

Update August 28, 2020 – The mask is now mandatory in all closed public places, such as restaurants, sports halls, shops, administrative establishments, etc. Wearing a mask is also made compulsory in certain cities in France, according to the decisions of the prefects. This is the case of Paris, Nice, Montpellier, Le Mans, Laval, Toulouse and Marseille, requiring the wearing of masks everywhere in the city. Petite-Couronne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Le Touquet, Biarritz, Deauville, Cannes and Saint-Malo are also concerned. Others have decided to make it partially compulsory, such as Lille, Nancy, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulon, where the mask is imposed in certain streets and certain neighborhoods. The absence of the mask exposes the person to a fine, up to 135 €. It is possible to remove it for a moment to eat. People whose health does not allow them to wear a mask, due to a disability, for example, may be exempted on medical advice. They will have to keep the certificate with them. As of September 1, the mask will be compulsory for companies. Regarding the start of the new school year, children aged 11 and over will also have to wear one.  

The Ministry of Health initially recommended wearing a mask only for people with symptoms to prevent the spread of the virus.