France tightens COVID restrictions amid rising omicron

France has announced tighter COVID restrictions amid concerns over the Omicron variant. From 3 January, remote working will become compulsory for those who can and public gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people for indoor events.

 

The news comes as France recorded more than 100,000 new infections on Saturday - the highest number reported in the country since the pandemic began. But France’s prime minister did not bring in a New Year’s Eve curfew. Countries across Europe are bringing back restrictions, as infections rise and the new Omicron variant spreads through the continent.

 

Health minister Olivier Véran said coronavirus infections were doubling every two days, warning of a “mega wave” of new cases. The new rules also include limits on outdoor public gatherings - which will be restricted to 5,000 people - and a ban on eating and drinking on long distance transport.

 

On Monday, more than 1,600 new hospitalisations were recorded, bringing the total number of people in hospital as a result of COVID-19 to 17,000, according to data from France’s public health authority.