8 Dec

French authorities have warned that the lifting of some coronavirus lockdown restrictions may be delayed as the number of new daily cases is higher than its target.

The French government began a phased easing of lockdown measures late last month, allowing shops to open.

The government had planned to further ease restrictions and swap lockdown with a nightly curfew from December 15 if new daily infection rates dropped to 5,000.

But the daily tally remains high, topping 10,000 on some days since the start of December. Another goal of having less than 3,000 coronavirus patients in intensive care has also not yet been reached.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, France's Director General for Health Jerome Salomon warned that the risk of a rebound remains high.

He said that if the current situation continues, it will be "very difficult" to achieve the goal of less than 5,000 new daily cases. He highlighted the need to monitor the situation in the coming days.

The French government is worried that the country may experience a surge in new COVID-19 cases after the Christmas holidays. The United States experienced a rise in cases after the Thanksgiving holidays.

French media say the government will discuss whether to proceed with the phased easing of restrictions at a cabinet meeting later this week.

NHK