Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Wednesday that France is likely to unwind its nationwide coronavirus lockdown gradually rather than in one go.

The government has ordered people to stay confined in their homes except for essential outings from March 17 until at least April 15.

“It is likely that we are not heading towards a general de-confinement in one go and for everyone,” Philippe told parliament by videoconference. He did not indicate when the government might start to ease or lift the lockdown.

Authorities also reminded Parisians that trying to escape the city for a holiday – as the school break begins next week – did not constitute essential travel and that controls would be reinforced “with utmost firmness,” Reuters said.

Source: RT