France lifts lockdown, imposes night curfew

By Cindi Cook

PARIS (AA) - France will lift lockdown restrictions on Tuesday ahead of the holiday season but night curfews will continue.

Amid the second wave of coronavirus infections, France imposed a lockdown on Oct. 30.

All non-essential businesses, including restaurants, bars, and cafes, were closed.

The de-confinement comes just a day after France saw a huge fall in daily infections from 11,533 on Sunday to 3,063 on Monday. Fatalities however doubled to 372 from Sunday's 155.

The tally of infections is over 2.37 million with the death toll over 58,000, according to the Health Ministry.

Hospitalizations stand at 8,722 as of Tuesday morning, with a total of 1,159 people in intensive care.

Travel during curfew hours will only be allowed for health or work after prior permission from local authorities.

The wearing of masks in all indoor and outdoor spaces will remain mandatory.

Those found in violation of the curfew will face a €135 fine.

The travel limitation of 20 kilometers within three hours will be lifted to allow inter-city and international travel.

Travelers who arrive at their destinations after the start of lockdown in the evening will not be penalized.

Many industries will suffer as they remain shuttered even after confinement lifts, such as cultural venues.

All movie houses, concert and ballet halls, museums, and theaters will stay closed until Jan. 7. Demonstrations are planned in France on Tuesday over the closures, with proprietors saying the action is harming their businesses tremendously.

Demonstrators will also move the courts demanding bail-out for the venues hit hard by the lack of business.

Prime Minister Jean Castex appeared on BFMTV on Tuesday morning to discuss the recommendation issued by the country's task force on COVID-19.

"The Scientific Council is saying something very reasonable -- first, to confine yourself eight days before Christmas, if you can, whenever possible."