Europe Is Again The Epicenter Of COVID-19, President Macron Says France Doesn't Need Lockdown

JAKARTA - France does not need to follow European countries imposing a COVID-19 lockdown on unvaccinated people, because of its success in limiting the spread of the virus, President Emmanuel Macron said.

Europe has again become the epicenter of the pandemic, prompting several countries including Germany and Austria to reimpose restrictions in the run-up to Christmas, leading to debate over whether a vaccine alone is sufficient to tame COVID-19.

"Countries that are in lockdown that are not vaccinated are those that have not imposed a (health) permit. Therefore this step is not necessary in France," President Macron told La Voix du Nord newspaper in an interview published on Sunday. Thursday, citing Reuters 19 November.

President Macron said he was still waiting for guidance from health authorities on whether a third dose should be extended to all eligible for the vaccine.

A booster dose is currently available for those over 65 years of age and frail, required for valid health clearance for the age group from December.

"If it is proven that the third dose is effective and necessary for the wider community, then obviously we will include it in the health clearance," Macron said.

In France, proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required to go to restaurants, cafes, and cinemas and take long-distance trains, among other activities.

Europe accounted for more than half of the seven-day average of infections globally last week and about half of the latest deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

Separately, German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday announced restrictions on public life for those who have not been vaccinated in areas, where hospitals are filling up very quickly with COVID-19 patients. Austria has also imposed a lockdown for the unvaccinated.

Earlier in the day, several hundred people protested outside the Austrian Embassy in Paris against Austria's restrictions, fearing France might reimpose restrictions aimed at reducing the circulation of the virus.