When Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced Ireland’s move into Level Five, he told the country that our six-week lockdown amounted to probably “Europe’s strictest regime”.
A week on, other countries around the continent have started to move in the same direction as Ireland – with France now joining us in a near-total lockdown for the next four weeks.
On Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of biting restrictions as coronavirus cases soar across France.
He said the measures were necessary after a deterioration that “even the most pessimistic did not predict.”
What’s the situation in France, and how does it differ from ours?
Their lockdown is for four weeks, not six
France has gone into a lockdown that’s probably stricter than ours – though with many of the same characteristics.
But a key difference is that France’s lockdown is likely to last for a month (though it might be extended), while ours was put in place for six weeks.
President Macron has said that the country will re-evaluate in two weeks “if we have the situation under control”.
This assessment will be carried out in the hope of re-opening some businesses in time for the Christmas holidays, he said.
They have stricter restrictions on movement
France’s lockdown regulations mean people are being told to not to leave home except to buy essential goods, for medical reasons and to exercise for an hour a day.
And a leading French newspaper says the office of the French Prime Minister has confirmed that people will be allowed outside up to 1km from their home.
Those who leave home will be required to carry written statements justifying their movements.
Things aren’t that strict in Ireland, with slightly looser language around who can leave home and why – and a 5km boundary in place for exercise.
Their bars are set to close
President Macron said in a televised address that bars, restaurants and cafes will close for the next month as the country battles to put a “brutal brake” on the spread of the virus.
Something similar has happened in Ireland, with our eateries and drinking establishments allowed to only operate on a takeaway basis.
So enjoy those pints from plastic cups.
Schools, creches to stay open
France is following our lead when it comes to schools and creches, keeping them open even as much of the rest of the country closes.
Factories will also remain open, in another similarity with our Covid-19 protocols.
How do France’s numbers compare to ours?
It’s hardly surprising that France, a country with a population of nearly 70 million, has far higher numbers when it comes to Covid-19.
But the country has very real reason to worry when it comes to the numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, with over 520 people passing away from the illness.
And when you consider that French health ministers are fearful of 9,000 coronavirus patients in intensive care by November, it’s easy to see how the country has got to the stage it’s at now.
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