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Reactions Mixed as France Takes Tough New Coronavirus Measures

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - The spreading coronavirus outbreak has prompted several
   European countries to announce nationwide school shutdowns. That
   includes France. Some observers believe it may only be a matter of time
   before the country and others follow the path of Italy in putting
   citizens in nationwide lockdown.

   The countrywide school shutdown will last at least 15 days for all
   French educational establishments -- from kindergartens to
   universities. It counts among the most drastic of new measures French
   President Emmanuel Macron announced in a nationwide address to fight
   close to 3,000 coronavirus cases in the country.

   Macron called on elderly citizens with health problems to stay home,
   announced help for businesses to cope with coronavirus-related losses,
   and urged bosses to let their employees work at home when possible.
   Major events are canceled but municipal elections taking place over the
   next two Sundays will go ahead for now.

   Macron called the battery of prevention measures a way to gain time, so
   hospitals do not become overloaded. He urged civic responsibility.

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