Paris has witnessed record-breaking traffic congestion as tens of thousands sought to escape the capital before France’s new national lockdown came into force.
Jams totaling a cumulative 430 miles formed across the Ile-de-France on Thursday night, according to local media reports.
The latest lockdown announced in a TV address by President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday night came into force at midnight (11pm GMT) amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 infections that have are threatening to overrun the country’s health care system.
The shutdown forces people to stay at home except for essential work, medical reasons or for going to school. They are required to carry documentation justifying why they have left their home. Violators will be fined 135 euros (£122).
It will last at least until the start of December although some health experts have warned it will take weeks longer to get the virus under control.
“The situation will be difficult in the weeks to come,” Prime Minister Jean Castex said. He added that "there are no other solutions" to protect hospitals facing increasing strain.
Covid-19 patients now occupy more than 62 per cent of intensive care beds in France. The country reported another 235 virus-related deaths on Thursday, taking the nation’s death toll to 36,020. Another 47,637 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported, more than the 36,437 announced on Wednesday and not far below the record high of 52,010 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, shoppers emptied supermarkets in a repeat of the panic-buying that swept much of Europe in March people prepared for the month-long confinement.
