Lockdown Announced All Over France, Schools Closed for 3 Weeks

NEW DELHI: France President Emmanuel Macron on March 31 announced a third national lockdown and said schools would close for three weeks as he sought to push back the third wave of COVID-19 infections that threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

According to reports, all non-essential shops are to close from Saturday and there will be a ban on travelling more than 10km (six miles) from home without good reason.

It is to be mentioned that, the country's health ministry reported 59,038 new cases. France has so far reported more than 4.6 million cases of coronavirus and 95,495 Covid-related deaths.

Addressing live on television, President Macron described the situation in the country as "delicate" and said that April would prove crucial. "We will lose control if we do not move now", he added.

Meanwhile in India, the country witnessed the biggest daily surge in Covid cases since early October with 72,330 fresh infections reported since yesterday, taking the tally to 1,22,21,665 cases.

The third phase of India's Covid-19 vaccination drive begins Thursday, with everyone above the age of 45 eligible for the shot. It will cover the population which is at the highest risk — 90 per cent of deaths related to the disease in India have been in the category of those above the age of 45.

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