France’s government have announced the possibility of stretching the state of emergency, due to Covid, until October

France’s government has announced the possibility of stretching the state of emergency, due to Covid, until October

THE French government has said that it is a possibility that France could extend its state of emergency to as far away as October this year. The possible extension will be revisited again by parliamentary officials on June 17.

Should it continue it would mean that prefects will still hold the authority to make decisions in the best interests of resident’s health, such as banning festivals or closing beaches. The government would also be able to introduce legislation ‘par ordonnance’ if the crisis demands, meaning laws can be passed quicker, without going through parliamentary channels.

A staff member of PM Edouard Philippe’s was reported to have said “The question of an extension of the state of emergency will be decided in the light of health developments. We’re not deciding anything today.”

However, another MP stated the extension looks “inevitable,” saying: “We must keep this toolbox of a state of emergency until after mid-July.”

The French government has not yet set a deadline for the end of the state of emergency, but, has suggested that this could be extended until October.