France closes all schools! How long will it be closed? Will transportation be open?

At 8 p.m. on March 12, French President Macron delivered a national televised speech on the COVID-19 outbreak. In his speech, Macron announced that all schools will be closed. So how long will they be closed? Will transportation be open? What is the local epidemic situation?

1. France has closed all schools. How long will they be closed?

It is understood that France will indefinitely close all schools at all levels from kindergarten to university from March 16.

However, the first round of voting in the 2020 French municipal elections scheduled for March 15 will be held as scheduled. Macron also said that public transportation will remain the same, but he asked all French people to minimize unnecessary travel, especially the elderly over 75 years old and patients with chronic diseases, who should stay at home more.

2. Will transportation be open? Attached is the latest epidemic situation

The French Ministry of Health released statistics that evening, showing that the number of confirmed cases on the 12th reached 595, once again setting a new record for confirmed cases in a single day. The new coronavirus is spreading further in France. The number of deaths increased by 13 that day. The number of severe cases has increased to 129. The COVID-19 epidemic in the Greater Paris area continues to worsen, with at least 577 confirmed cases on the 12th.

French health authorities discovered new clusters of infections in Brittany and other places on the 12th, and are conducting preliminary investigations into these cases. The number of members of the French National Assembly who have been diagnosed with the virus has risen to 10. The two newly diagnosed MPs had previously had contact with French Culture Minister Rest, who had been diagnosed with the virus.

Macron said that France's public transportation system will remain open, but he called on people to limit their travel to "absolutely necessary" areas, that is, to reduce travel as much as possible and minimize gatherings. He also called on the elderly and infirm to stay at home as much as possible in the future. However, Macron still stated that the French municipal elections on the 15th will still be held as scheduled.

Macron also said for the first time that border closures might be necessary in the future, but he hoped to implement them in stages at the right time. The border between France and Italy remains open. The epidemic situation in Italy is still worsening. As of the evening of the 12th, the number of confirmed cases has increased to 15,113, with 1,016 deaths.