French president Emmanuel Macron tonight put his country into enforced lockdown, declaring "we are at war with the coronavirus".
In a solemn live TV address on Monday evening, he said people would have to stay at home unless shopping for food or going to a pharmacy, heading for absolutely essential work, or exercising alone.
The measures come in at midday tomorrow and is set to remain in force for at least two weeks, as France follows the lead of other EU nations and shuts its borders amid the global pandemic.
The police and army are set to strictly enforce the new restrictions, with so-far unspecified ‘punishments’ for those who break them.
Mr Macron pledged that that no French company would be exposed to risk of collapse as he announced billions in euros in loans to help keep businesses afloat.
Borders with other European countries will also be closed, although French national will be allowed to ‘return home’.
The measures will start at 12 midday on Tuesday, and go on for ‘at least two weeks’, Mr Macron said.
He told the nation: "Walking, meeting friends in the park or in the street will no longer be possible.
"It is a question of limiting as much as possible all contact beyond the home. All over French territory, in mainland France as well as overseas, only necessary journeys must remain necessary."
Mr Macron acknowledged the economic cost would be enormous.
He added: "All businesses must organise to facilitate remote work. And when that is not possible, they will have to adapt their organization to enforce these new measures."
Government grants will be made available to those facing bankruptcy, while tax demands will be frozen.
It comes as the death toll hits 127 in France.
The country has recorded around 5,400 infections, with 400 still in intensive care in its hospitals, which are struggling to cope.
Despite measures brought in over the weekend including a ban on crowds of more than 100, and the closure of non-essential shops, people were still breaking the new rules.
Mr Macron said: "We are at war and the Nation will support its children who, there, medical staff in town, at the hospital, are on the front line in a fight that will ask them for determination, solidarity.
Mr Macron said his government had taken 'firm decisions' to limit the spread of the virus, after an Italian lock-down style approach was recommended to him by government's science experts.
With today's announcement, France becomes the latest country to follow in the footsteps of coronavirus-ravaged Italy, which is now entering its second week in total lock-down.
