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France Will Roll Back Special Government Powers on July 10

VOA News

   France is prepared to lift the special government powers granted to
   cope with the coronavirus pandemic on July 10butwill continue to
   restrict gatherings and freedom of movement for the next four months,
   the prime minister's office said.

   In March, as the coronavirus outbreakspreadacross the globe, France
   implemented "state of health emergency" legislation, extending the
   government's power to restrict civil liberties without parliamentary
   approval.

   Since France lifted its nationwide lockdown on May 11, hospital and
   mortality data have been onasteady downward trend, raising officials'
   confidence to roll back the emergency legislation.

   "In view of the positive evolution of the health situation at this
   stage, the government wishes to put an end to the state of health
   emergency, which must remain an exceptional case," Prime Minister
   Edouard Philippe's office said.

   Despite the end of the emergency power, France's Council of Ministers
   was presented with a new billon Wednesdaythat would allow the
   government to restrict freedom of movement, make face masks compulsory
   on public transport, close businesses and ban large gatherings for
   another four months. The bill will be voted on by the National Assembly
   on June 17.

   While France's advisory Scientific Council has confirmed that there
   will be no return to a nationwide lockdown, the bill would allow for
   local measures in the event of an outbreak such as lockdowns, travel
   bans or school closures.

   France's coronavirus death toll has reached 29,296, thefifth highestin
   the world and third highest in Europe, after the United Kingdom and
   Italy. On Tuesday, the number of people in intensive care fell below
   1,000 for the first time since March 19.

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