LILLE, France (AFP) — Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday urged France “not to let down its guard” in the fight against the coronavirus in order to prevent the need for a new national lockdown, as concern grows over a recent surge in cases.
“The virus has not gone on holiday and neither have we,” the premier said on a visit to the northeastern city of Lille. “We need to protect ourselves against this virus, without putting a stop to our economic and social life, in other words avoiding the risk of a new generalized lockdown.”
France, which has registered over 30,000 deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic, recorded thousands of new cases last week prompting some regions to reimpose local restrictions.
© Agence France-Presse
