Troops Take to Streets of Paris in ‘War’ Against Coronavirus

People in France have been told they will only be able to leave their homes for necessary trips such as going to the supermarket or to work.

French President Emmanuel Macron said ‘movements will be very strongly reduced’ for at least 15 days beginning today.

He told the nation on television that the government ordered the restrictions because people haven’t complied with earlier public health measures and ‘we are at war.’ Gatherings of families and friends were banned, he said, though people could take exercise, provided they kept their distance from each other.

He said: “We saw people gather in parks, crowded markets, restaurants and bars who did not follow the instructions. Not only are you not protecting yourself but you are not protecting others,” he told the French people.

Macron said French people nationwide should stay at home and only go out for the ‘bare essentials.’

He said that anyone infringing the restrictions would be punished, without specifying what exactly that could mean. ‘It’s a health war,’ he said.

“We’re not at war against an army or a nations but against an invisible enemy.”