Coronavirus: Macron suspends reforms, limits movement as EU closes borders

French president Emmanuel Macron during his speech March 15 where he annouced further measures to combat the coronavirus © France 2/Screengrab

In a televised address, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would “suspend all reforms” as France is now “at war” with the coronavirus. Measures aimed at containing the virus will be severely limiting with people obliged to stay at home for a period of at least fifteen days.

Looking earnest, he said that people “had not respected” earlier advice to keep  a 'social distance'. He also ordered the closure of restaurants in order to minimize the risk of contamination. Those that fail to respect the new orders will face heavy penalties.

Macron also said that during a meeting with other EU member states, it was decided to close Europe’s borders for the next 30 days, temporarily suspending the Schengen agreement.

• 'Stay home', health workers plead with French public

Suspension of reforms

However, in order to offset the worst economic impact of the closures, he also announced that the government would make €300 billion available to businesses so they can reschedule payment of bank loans to companies.

The army will also be called to assist hospital work in the most affected areas.

Adresse aux Français. https://t.co/V0kwXbU79J

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 16, 2020

One announcement  aimed at temporarily easing exisitng social tensions will see that "all reforms" be suspended.

This includes the controversial reform of the pension system, against which labor unions have been staging weeks of protests and demonstrations earlier this year. 

G7

Earlier on, the G7 group of industrialized nations (the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy) had issued a statement outlining measures that promise to:

• Do “whatever  is necessary” to fight the virus, saying that the group of seven will concentrate on coordinating on necessary public health measures
• Restoring confidence, growth, and protecting jobs
• Supporting global trade and investment
• Encouraging science, research, and technological cooperation

Dutch group immunity

One hour before Macron spoke, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the citizens of his nation, saying that Dutch policy will aim at  “group immunity". 

This, he said, would mean that “a lot of people will get ill,” but “with minor symptoms,” while the government concentrates on “postponing the peak of the infection curve” so as to not over saturate the hospitals.

For Holland, a total lockdown as applied in parts of Italy and China “is not a solution,” he said as it would “last at least one year,” without guarantees of success.

Meanwhile, schools and restaurants (and coffeeshops) remain closed for now, while measures “may be relaxed” after April 6, depending on “how the virus behaves.”