FRENCH PM CASTEX ANNOUNCES NEW HEALTH MEASURES & ACCELERATING VACCINE ROLLS OUT

USPA NEWS - The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, held a new press conference, This Thursday March 4 alongside his Minister of Health Olivier Veran, for one hour. After a pedagogical speech, repenting clear and explicit slides on the evolution of COVID-19 contamination curves and optimistic projections by PM Castex then answered the questions of the few journalists present, including that of "return to normal expected for mid April “as the government spokesman Gabriel Attal said yesterday. PM Castex also called on the French to limit their travel, especially on weekends from one region to another as it is "common sense". "I invite the inhabitants of the 23 departments at risk not to leave, as much as possible, their department or their region when it comes to the Ile-de-France departments », he said. Jean Castex notably confirmed the establishment of a weekend containment in Pas-de-Calais, yet not for the department of Ile-de-France while three new departments are placed on orange vigilance. In all, 23 French departments are placed under reinforced surveillance (twenty already since last week) is affected by a weekend curfew: the Pas-de-Calais.

The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, held a new press conference, This Thursday March 4 alongside his Minister of Health Olivier Veran, for one hour. After a pedagogical speech, repenting clear and explicit slides on the evolution of COVID-19 contamination curves and optimistic projections by PM Castex then answered the questions of the few journalists present, including that of "return to normal expected for mid April “as the government spokesman Gabriel Attal said yesterday. PM Castex also called on the French to limit their travel, especially on weekends from one region to another as it is "common sense". "I invite the inhabitants of the 23 departments at risk not to leave, as much as possible, their department or their region when it comes to the Ile-de-France departments », he said.--------------------------------------------------------------- Jean Castex notably confirmed the establishment of a weekend containment in Pas-de-Calais, yet not for the department of Ile-de-France while three new departments are placed on orange vigilance. In all, 23 French departments are placed under reinforced surveillance (twenty already since last week) is affected by a weekend curfew: the Pas-de-Calais. Three other departments are now subject to increased vigilance. The health situation has deteriorated, but not as much as one might have imagined, with, in particular, an incidence rate greater than 250 per 100,000 inhabitants, a proportion of variants greater than 50%, hospital pressure close to the threshold criticism and increasing viral circulation. The Prime Minister explained: "The hospital tension is very worrying. 3,647 people are in intensive care today. The circulation of the virus is very diversified according to the territories". He also encouraged to buy the rhythm of vaccinations, because 22 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine, will soon be available in excess of the 7 million currently in circulation, in order to allow "By April 15, we should have vaccinated 10 million people, by mid-May 20 million people and by the summer 30 million people “, thus the PM, Jean Castex, announcing that France is keeping up with a very good rhythm of vaccinations roll up in Europe, for vulnerable people. "By April 15, we should have vaccinated 10 million people, by mid-May 20 million people and by summer 30 million people." the pM Jean Castex said.

THE MAIN ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW HEALTH MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19--------------------------------------- Here are the main announcements of health measures to fight COVID-19, in France, set out by the PM, Jean Castex. Weekend containment as established in Nice and Dunkirk is extended to the whole of Pas-de-Calais from this Saturday March 6 at 8 a.m. until Sunday at 6 p.m. -Large non-food stores of more than 5,000 square meters are closed in Pas-de-Calais -The prefects can prohibit or regulate the access to the very frequented sites where one could notice recently a mass circulation without distancing and without wearing of the mask. The prefects may also be required to ban demonstrations, especially on weekends. Regarding vaccines, 135,000 new doses will be allocated in the 23 departments under reinforced surveillance, including 10,000 in Pas-de-Calais. From March 15, people over 50 will be able to be vaccinated at pharmacists without a medical prescription.

LOCKDOWN FORECASTS ANNOUNCED BY PM JEAN CASTEX UPDATE OF 4 MARCH----------------------------------- "Weekend confinement is extended to the entire Pas-de-Calais department from Saturday 8am"------------------------------------- There will be no re-containment in other departments under enhanced surveillance, "for the moment" as PM Jean Castex explained despite rumors ... "Containment can be avoided, nothing is inevitable. Limit your social interactions. We must hold together." "This choice of non-containment has a counterpart: for the government, it is necessary to accelerate the tests and the vaccines, for all of us, it is to redouble our vigilance". "The circulation of the virus has continued to progress, at a slower rate than we expected." "The hospital tension is very worrying. 3,647 people are in intensive care today. The circulation of the virus is very diversified according to the territories". French PM, Jean Castex announced.

OTHER MEASURES CONCERNING THE PREFETS AND THEIR FUTURE ACTIONS----------------------------------------- As of Saturday, large shopping centers of more than 10,000 square meters will be closed. The obligation to wear a mask is extended to all urban centers. Local elected officials must put in place measures to limit or prohibit gatherings in public spaces at risk ". "I invite the inhabitants of the 23 departments at risk not to leave, as much as possible, their department or their region when it comes to the Ile-de-France departments", explained PM Jean Castex FRANCE IS LEADING IN EUROPE IN VACCINING VULNERABLE PEOPLE--------------------------------------------------- "France is in the lead in Europe for the vaccination of the most vulnerable people," said PM Jean Castex. He added that "135,000 new doses of vaccine will be allocated in the most exposed departments, including 10,000 in the Pas-de-Calais. We have entered a race against time, we must vaccinate as quickly as possible. “He then announced an urgent decree, from March 15, allowing pharmacists to vaccinate people aged> 50 years. People over 50 with comorbidities and over 75 can make an appointment this weekend. "By April 15, we should have vaccinated 10 million people, by mid-May 20 million people and by summer 30 million people.""We have reached a major milestone, more than 80% of nursing home residents have received one dose of vaccine and 60% have received two doses". "The way is open to an adaptation of the rules which govern social life in nursing homes". "In March and April, we should receive 22 million doses of vaccine" "People over 65 years of age are now eligible for the AstraZenena vaccine. This vaccine is very effective, it is as effective as Pfizer and Moderna". "Caregivers are eligible for vaccination, only one in three is currently, this is not normal." Regarding the tests, the Minister of Health, Olivier Veran has when has him, reassures on the pace of deployment of saliva tests in schools and nursing homes. "Since last week, we have deployed saliva tests in schools, we will do it soon in nurseries, health establishments and nursing homes". "If you have the slightest doubt, get tested", concluded the Minister of Health, Olivier Veran.