Coronavirus has spread to 213 countries around the world including several across Europe. France is the sixth most infected country on the continent, behind Russia, Spain the UK, Italy and Germany with 197,981, reported cases. Express.co.uk has compiled a guide to show you the areas most at risk in France.
France registered 30 percent more cases this week, on Thursday reported 1,604 new coronavirus cases in just 24 hours.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron said the coronavirus pandemic has the ability to remake capitalism.
In an interview with the Financial Times, President Macron called the situation “unthinkable”.
He added countries need to take this opportunity to “invent something new” because “that is all we can do.”
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So far more than 30,000 people have been killed by the virus in France.
France has taken the decision to close all schools, universities and nurseries in France in a bid to contain the outbreak.
The French President Emmanuel Macron said: “I want to be very clear with you tonight. We are only at the beginning of the epidemic.”
He added: “Starting Monday, all nurseries, schools and universities will be closed.”
The President also urged anyone aged over 70, disabled or in poor health to stay at home and limit social contact as much as possible.
He said: “Protecting our most vulnerable is the most important thing right now.”
Of the 197,981 confirmed cases in France, around 84,761 patients are still currently sick, with 383 in a serious or critical condition.
Flights to and from France are still taking off, but airlines across the board are cancelling services due to a huge drop off in demand, and the French government has announced that international flights are to be reduced.
France has entered its third stage, the full epidemic stage, of the outbreak, which means the virus is currently circulating actively across the territory.
Jérôme Salomon, who heads the country’s health service said the coronavirus epidemic in France was “very worrying” and the situation “deteriorating very fast.”
France is progressively reducing long-distance train, bus and plane travel on its territory over the coming days in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued some guidance about travel to France.
The FCO website reads: “There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in China and elsewhere, including France.
“The French authorities are dealing with confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Oise, Haute Savoie and Britanny.
“If you’re in these areas you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”