French President Emmanuel Macron has extended France’s nationwide lockdown until 11 May, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to curb the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Macron said his country had not been sufficiently prepared early on to face the challenges posed by the outbreak, and urged his countrymen to abide by government decisions in the coming weeks.
Macron said that by 11 May, France would be able to test anyone presenting with coronavirus symptoms. He added that schools and universities would be able to progressively re-open.
He further noted that the French government will provide extraordinary subsidies to poor families nationwide.
Macron stated that hospitals will be supplied with 10,000 ventilators to cope with the increasing numbers of infected person.
By Monday, the coronavirus had claimed 14,967 lives in France, the fourth highest death toll in the world.
