France Expands Lockdown Measures Nationwide... Calls for Action Also Rising in Germany

French President Emmanuel Macron [Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] France, where COVID-19 is resurging, has significantly tightened lockdown measures. The movement restrictions currently applied in some regions have been expanded nationwide, and schools and childcare facilities have been ordered to close for three weeks.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on the 31st (local time), "The lockdown measures currently in place in 19 regions will be expanded nationwide from April 3rd for at least four weeks."

Accordingly, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., anyone leaving their residence beyond a 10 km radius anywhere in France must carry a movement certificate. Inter-regional travel is also restricted except for unavoidable reasons.

Kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools will also be closed for three weeks. When France issued its second nationwide lockdown on October 30 last year, schools were kept open.

President Macron said, "If we do not act now, we will lose control," adding, "Slowing the spread of COVID-19 is the best solution."

In Germany, where COVID-19 cases are rising again, voices are calling for a nationwide lockdown. According to the British daily The Guardian, recently, the governors of two states have demanded that the government impose a strict lockdown across the entire country again.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel withdrew the full lockdown order just one day after announcing on the 24th of last month (local time) that the Easter lockdown was a mistake. Earlier, on the 23rd, Chancellor Merkel had announced that all businesses, shops, supermarkets, schools, childcare facilities, and churches would be closed from April 1 to 5, but reversed the plan within a day following opposition mainly from the business community.

The two state governors demanding a nationwide lockdown emphasized, targeting other governors reluctant to impose lockdown measures, "The situation is more serious and complex than you think," and said, "It is time to take responsibility."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.