France is entering a new phase of onerous COVID-19 restrictions, even as anti-blockade protests erupt across Europe.
As of Friday evening, residents of Paris and northern France must obtain permission to walk more than 6 miles from their home; non-essential stores are closed; and travel between regions is banned “for no compelling reason,” according to reports.
“The situation is deteriorating,” said Prime Minister Jean Castex, referring to rising COVID-19 infection rates.
But the French government rejected more restrictive measures on Thursday for the first time, probably in response to growing outrage over the blockade in Europe.
Austria, England, Germany, Finland, Romania and Switzerland have witnessed protests in recent days.
Kassel, Germany saw 20,000 people protest on Saturday, while 1,800 police were waiting for a potential protest in Berlin, The Associated Press reported. As many as 10,000 people protested and 13 were arrested in London on Saturday, according to Reuters.