Health worker ceremony replaces Paris's July 14 parade

France's traditional military parade in Paris on July 14 will be replaced with a tribute to health workers at the forefront of the battle with coronavirus.

President Emmanuel Macron's office announced on Thursday that the ceremony to mark France's fête nationale will take place at Place de la Concorde.

Places for the ceremony will be 'reduced to 2,000 participants and about 2,500 guests', in compliance with the rules of social distancing, the Elysée added.

Read more: Covid-19: Can we travel through France back to the UK?

Parades, celebrations and parties are a hallmark of July 14 celebrations across France, though this year's events, if they take place at all, are likely to be much smaller affairs.

Although many restrictions have been eased, a ban on large-scale gatherings remains in place, and authorities have warned that gatherings of more than 5,000 people are unlikely to be allowed before September.

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