French PM outlines blueprint for emerging from coronavirus lockdown

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Monday that a lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic had saved 62,000 lives in a month, but that keeping the restrictions in place would mean risking economic collapse.

The country is set to end its lockdown on May 11. The scheduled lifting of the lockdown will depend on new cases dropping below 3,000 a day, said Philippe.

Speaking in parliament, the prime minister has outlined a blueprint to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown:

- Gatherings of over 10 people will remain banned after May 11 and no events with over 5,000 people allowed till September.

- Wearing masks will be compulsory in public transport and secondary schools starting May 11.

- Non-essential French retailers can re-open their doors from May 11, but they will have the right to insist that shoppers wear masks.

- Small French museums will reopen on May 11, but large ones won't.

- Paris metro will be running at 70 percent from May 11.

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