‘We are at war’ against COVID-19, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has further tightened restrictions on freedom of movement, suspended economic reforms and delayed the second round of local elections in the fight against coronavirus, declaring in a speech to the nation: “We are at war.”

Mr Macron said he had decided to ban the French from making anything other than essential outings from their homes on pain of punishment for at least two weeks, although people would be allowed to shop for food, take exercise and go to work if it was impossible for them to do their jobs remotely.

“Never has France had to take such decisions, albeit temporary, in time of peace,” he said. “All our energy should be on one aim: to slow the progress of the virus.”

Mr Macron also reaffirmed unlimited state financial support for businesses and employees affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including up to €300bn of state guarantees for bank loans to companies.

“No business whatever its size will face risk of bankruptcy,” Mr Macron said. Bruno Le Maire, finance minister, has said the government’s measures to prop up the economy and help companies and their workers will cost “tens of billions of euros”.

On Monday night, France’s health ministry said the country had so far recorded 6,633 confirmed coronavirus cases and 148 deaths, and doctors have expressed fears that it faces an Italian-style surge in infections and fatalities.

Mr Macron also announced that the armed forces would be deployed to move coronavirus patients from regions overwhelmed by sufferers to other areas of France with spare capacity. A military hospital in Alsace, one of the worst affected places, would be made available to help deal with the crisis.

Taxis and hotels would be paid for by the state to support embattled doctors, nurses and health workers, Mr Macron added.

Mr Macron gave no date for the postponed second and final round of nationwide local elections, for which the first round was held on Sunday. He said the delay had been agreed by other political party leaders. French media said the new date was likely to be June 21 instead of the scheduled March 22.

The government would manage the coronavirus crisis by decree, he said.

Christophe Castaner, French interior minister, later said citizens’ movements would be based on an honesty system and controlled by 100,000 police and gendarmes who would be able to impose fines on rule-breakers of €38, soon rising to €135. Anyone in the streets would have to have completed a declaration explaining the purpose of their sortie.

France is also part of an EU ban on foreign passengers arriving in 31 European countries expected to be introduced for the next month. There will be exemptions for truck drivers and other special cases.

Border closures

Meanwhile, the 27 heads of state in Europe are speaking at 5 p.m. Brussels time Tuesday.

They are expected to discuss closing their external borders to non-essential travel for 30 days. This would mean that only supplies of food and medicines would be allowed to enter Europe. Long-term residents, family members of EU citizens, diplomats and health-care workers would be exempted from the ban.