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EU Borders to Shut, France under Lockdown: Macron

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - The European Union's external borders will be closedto
   non-essentialtravelfor30 days as of Tuesday to fight the spread
   ofthecoronavirus, while France is following Italy and Spain in imposing
   a nationwide lockdown for at least 15 days.

   In an address to the nation Monday night, President Emmanuel Macron
   announced France was at war against COVID-19. He announced newmeasures
   both within France and across the EU to contain its spread.

   Macron said as of midday Tuesday, the EU and Europe's visa-free
   Schengen zone borders would be shutfor 30 days for all but essential
   travel. Earlier in the day, European Commission chief Ursula von
   derLeyensaid she had madethe recommendation to the 27-member bloc.

   Macron also announced a minimum 15-day lockdown across France and its
   territories. People must drastically limit theirmovementoutside their
   homes to essential work, errands and health services also as of Tuesday
   midday.Getting together with friends and non-household family members
   is forbidden, and violators risk punishment.

   The new restrictions come amid surging numbers of coronavirus cases
   here -- and as some hospitals increasinglystruggleto cope with an
   overload of sick patients, especially in the eastern part of the
   country.

   Macron also said the second round of local elections would be
   postponed, along with a series of unpopular reforms his government has
   pushed through in recent months. He announced measures to support
   businesses hard hit by the coronavirus,including more than $335 billion
   in tax and other relief.

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