France moves toward easing coronavirus lockdown

PARIS — The French prime minister has given the green light to start ending a strict two-month lockdown throughout France on Monday, even though the coronavirus is still circulating in four regions, including Paris.

Laying out a sort of how-to manual for the progressive reopening of France, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says a balance must be struck between restarting life and the economy while guarding against a second wave of the pandemic, which has left more than 26,000 people dead in France since March 1.

Philippe holds out the possibility that backsliding in fighting the pandemic could mean back-pedaling on the freedom from confinement starting next week.

Important restrictions will remain in place — particularly for travel, urban public transport and schools — until the situation is reassessed in early June. Restaurants and bars are to remain closed for now, along with most beaches.

— AP