As COVID-19 cases surged, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the closure of nurseries and schools, aligning with measures across Europe. Stock markets crashed Thursday to historic lows, with the CAC 40 down over 12% and Milan's exchange nearly 17%.
According to the latest Directorate General of Health (DGS) report, France recorded 2,876 COVID-19 cases and 61 deaths, including 129 severe cases. In his March 12, 2020 address, President Macron stopped short of declaring epidemic stage 3 but unveiled aggressive containment steps.
Viewed by a record 20 million+ audience, the President announced closures of all nurseries, schools, colleges, high schools, and universities (details below). Effective March 16 until further notice. Europe-wide, similar actions hit Italy, Greece, Poland, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Portugal; Italy and Belgium also shut restaurants and cafes.
Further steps: travel limits, protections for over-70s, two-month winter break extensions, and bolstered partial unemployment for businesses.
Italy, in full quarantine, reports 15,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths. A Rome resident, quoted in Ouest-France, warned France mirrors Italy's path—a view backed by doctors citing near-identical viral spread, delayed by days.
Only groceries, supermarkets, and pharmacies remain open amid widespread mask use. Bergamo's Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital doctor Daniele Macchini shared frontline insights, vital for nations following suit.
Worldwide, 135,000+ cases and nearly 5,000 deaths span 100+ countries, confirming pandemic scale. Italy ranks second; Iran hits 10,075 cases, 429 deaths. Spain overtook France at 2,965 cases and 84 deaths. Germany: 2,700 cases/3 deaths; Switzerland: 860 cases/6 deaths.
The U.S., post-EU travel ban, logs 1,530 cases and 38 deaths; RFI notes expert outcry over testing shortages.
Early epicenters offer hope: China and South Korea signal epidemic slowdowns.
Emmanuel Macron's full March 12, 2020 speech:
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