Travel between departments allowed after May 11

France's strict coronavirus lockdown laws are set to gradually ease from May 11 - but some are set to be decided on departmental criteria.

Last Thursday, the government presented the first version of a map that will split the country into green and red zones, classifying each department according levels of Covid-19, which will be used to map out how some restrictions might be eased from May 11.

Importantly, however, the government has not placed restrictions on travel between departments, no matter their colour coding.

The decisive map will be published on May 7, when the colour-coding will be locked in for the first days of deconfinement. Using the map published on that date, department authorities will be able to determine the level of certain changes to restrictions.

Read more: France may postpone deconfinement if new cases rise

The orange category will disappear from the May 7 map, leaving just the green and red colours, which are defined by the number of new cases of Covid-19 diagnosed in individual departments; local intensive care capacity; and departments' testing and tracing systems.

During his speech at the end of an exceptional Council of Ministers meeting on Saturday, May 2, Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, did not give any details on border movements, but reiterated the restriction on people travelling beyond a 100km radius of their home.

Checks will be stepped up and the police will be assisted by reservists and sworn security agents in transport, Mr Castener said, but added that he was counting "on the civic-mindedness of the French and the spirit of responsibility".