Macron mandates strict curfew in Paris amid COVID-19 second wave

The French government has declared a state of emergency as it battles a second-wave of coronavirus cases — putting in place a strict curfew in Paris and eight other cities to try and curb the rapid spread.

Approximately 18 million French citizens won’t be allowed out between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting on Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday. The curfew will last for at least four weeks.

“We won’t go to restaurants after 9 p.m., we won’t’ see friends, we won’t party, because that’s how to pass on the virus,” Macron said.

Anyone found to be breaking the curfew will face a fine of up to $160. The other regions affected include Marseille, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Rouen, and Saint-Etienne.

News of the curfew comes as France’s health ministry reported 22,950 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday and said COVID-19 patients now occupy a third (32 percent) of the country’s intensive care beds.

Macron said limiting outings at night was part of an effort to reduce the number of virus cases to 3,000 or 4,000 per day.

“Our goal is to curb the virus… Our goal is to reduce private contacts,” Macron said. “What is called the curfew is a measure that is appropriate.”

With Post wires