There Is A New Corona Virus Variant From England, France Is Preparing To Lockdown Again

Illustration of the COVID-19 test. (Jakayla Toney / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The French government did not rule out lockdowns for the third time. This was said by Health Minister Olivier Veran, regarding the spread of a new variant of the corona virus from the UK.

"Further lockdown in France will probably be an absolute necessity, if the spread of the British variant of the coronavirus increases significantly," Veran said, launching euronews.

He added that the spread of the new variant of the corona virus in French territory could be a determining factor in the strategy that the government will take to combat the corona virus in the coming days and weeks.

Major cities in France currently enforce a national curfew, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Residents can still go out at certain hours, with good reason and an official permit.

Shops and services, including public libraries, open but must close at 6pm. But bars, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums and gyms remain closed. Employees should work from home whenever possible.

"If the rate of this variant increases significantly and we follow Britain's trajectory, lockdown may become an absolute necessity," Véran told the French Senate Law Commission.

Based on a study of all positive PCR test results, infections due to this new variant account for about 1.4 percent of the total daily COVID-19 cases in France.

The French government has high hopes for a vaccine and will be able to vaccinate 70 million people by the end of August.

"if all vaccines ordered are approved by European and global health authorities," he added.

To note, England is being bothered with this new variant found in the south of England. Last Wednesday January 20, the UK set a new daily death toll, looking for 1,820 deaths from COVID-19.