Coronavirus: France unveils plans for lifting lockdown, including reopening shops and ramping up testing

People could start going outside again in two weeks' time

France has unveiled plans to bring the country out of its nationwide lockdown, including compulsory face masks on public transport and ramping up testing.​

The prime minister said primary schools, non-essential shops, libraries and small museums could start reopening from 11 May in the first wave of restrictions to be lifted.

All retailers – except bars, restaurants, cafes and stores in shopping centres - could welcome customers again in two weeks’ time under the government’s proposed exit strategy.

The plans would also allow people to leave their homes as normal from 11 May, although travel between regions would be restricted to work or family reasons.

Under current rules, anyone going outside must carry a certificate explaining why, for example to get food or medicine.

Edouard Philippe said France would only begin emerging from the lockdown next month if it was safe to do so.

“If the indicators are not right, we will not unwind the lockdown on 11 May, or we will do it more strictly,” the PM said.

Mr Philippe said social distancing measures would become even more important as France comes out of its lockdown, with the public urged to wear masks in certain situations.

The exit strategy – which will be voted on in parliament later on Tuesday – would require people to wear face masks on public transport, as well as in workplaces if social distancing is not possible.

Students in secondary schools – which could start gradually reopening from 18 May – must also wear masks, the prime minister said. No more than 15 pupils would be allowed in a class, he added.

Mr Philippe also laid out plans to increase the number of tests to 700,000 per week by 11 May in a bid to identify and isolate coronavirus carriers.

The government will reassess at the end of next month whether conditions are suitable for a further easing of restrictions and will decide whether cafes and restaurants can be reopened and if summer holidays can go ahead.

France has been in lockdown for more than a month over its coronavirus outbreak, which has seen more than 165,800 people infected with the virus to date.

As of Tuesday, around 23,300 people have died in the country after testing positive for Covid-19 – one of the largest death tolls in the world.

Additional reporting by Reuters