COVID-19 pandemic in France

France today began lifting Covid restrictions, including mandatory masks outside, in a bid to make everyday life easier for citizens, after only last month the country announced a record number of new coronavirus infections, AFP reported.

French PM Jean Castex announced on Thursday a month-long limited lockdown for Paris and other regions of the country starting Friday as the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units spikes, FRANCE 24 reported. The new restrictions will be imposed on 16 regions, including the Paris area.

Ljubljana – All secondary school students who have been learning remotely will return to in-person teaching on Monday, while primary school students in grades six to nine will have to wear masks at all time in class, the government decided as it conducted its weekly review of coronavirus restrictions.

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the French Presidency said on Dec. 17.

"The President of the Republic has been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 today," his office said in a statement.

"This diagnosis was made following a PCR test performed at the onset of the first symptoms."