France is easing the lockdown after the second wave of corona

International Desk: France is going to relax the strict lockdown. The country's president Emanuel Macron said in a statement. Authorities have allowed unnecessary shops to reopen.

Macron said in a statement that people will be able to celebrate Christmas with family members. However, bars and restaurants will remain closed until January 20.

Since the outbreak of the Corona epidemic in France, the number of victims has exceeded 2.2 million. More than 50,000 people in the country have died from the deadly virus.

In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Macron said France had crossed the peak of the second wave of corona infections.

He said that with the festive season looming, the lockdown will start to relax from December 15. Cinema halls will be reopened and travel bans will be lifted.

On Monday, 4,452 people were newly infected with corona in the country. This is the lowest number since September 28.
According to Macron, the news of the success of the vaccine trial is raising hopes. He hopes that the vaccine will be launched in France in late December or early January.

Macron noted that only the elderly and the most at-risk people would be vaccinated first. He said the situation in the country would be reviewed till January 20.

If the speed of infection is low, bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen. He also said that students will be able to take part in classes in universities again.

"We have to do everything we can to stop the third wave of corona," he said. He also mentioned that necessary steps have to be taken to prevent a third lockdown.

In a tweet after the televised speech, Macron said all business should be shut down during the lockdown. Bars, restaurants, sports halls cannot be opened now. He also said that if he does not abide by the decision of the authorities, he will have to pay a fine.

Macron said he would discuss the Corona situation with other European leaders and provide the latest information in the coming days. He said a night curfew could be imposed instead of a lockdown. There may be a curfew from 9pm at Christmas and New Year to 8am the next day.

France has continued its second lockdown since the beginning of this month. People are allowed to go out of the house only for work, to buy necessities, medical aid and for an hour of exercise.