Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France

A national curfew is in place between 18:00 to 06:00. Prime Minister Jean Castex said on February 25 that "the health situation in our country has deteriorated in recent days". He said that a lockdown would only be used as a last resort.

A weekend lockdown has been announced for the whole Alpes-Maritimes coast and Dunkirk and its surrounding area for the next two weeks (until March 7). The measure will last from 18:00 on Friday until 6:00 on Monday morning. Exemption certificates (attestations de déplacement) will be required for anyone going out during this time. Going out for exercise will be permitted for one hour every day within a radius of five kilometres of a person's home. 

The Covid-19 situation in 20 other departments will be closely monitored with a view to introducing stricter measures, such as a weekend curfew. A decision will be made next week (announced February 25).

Working from home is even more strongly encouraged. New school rules have been introduced such as what masks can be worn and school closures if Covid variants are detected. 

Borders with non-EU countries are now closed except for travel for "compelling reasons" and travellers from other EU countries into France need a PCR test. 

Over 2.5 million people have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination. See here for more on the vaccination campaign.

Latest statistics 

Situation on February 28, 2021, the latest official statistics available recorded at 14:00*

• Recorded new cases in France in previous 24 hours: 19,952
• New deaths: 122 (total number of deaths in France now 86,454)
• Rate of positive tests: 7.3%
• Number of people having received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose: 2,967,937 (+48,198 in last 24h) (latest update on 27/02/2021)**
• Number of people vaccinated fully with both doses of the vaccine: 1,582,433 (+21,858 in last 24h) (latest update on 27/02/2021)

*Data provided by stepubliquefrance.fr and **CovidTracker.fr 
Rate of positive tests is the number of positive tests divided by the total number of tests over the past seven days.

Data provided immediately after weekends and bank holidays is lower than average. This is due to the testing facilities mainly being closed during these times.

Measures announced February 25

• 20 French departments are to be monitored with a view to introducing stricter Covid-related measures, such as a weekend lockdown as introduced in the Alpes-Maritimes and Dunkirk and its surrounding area
• Covid-19 vaccinations for those over 65 years of age will open from the beginning of April.
• The prime minister said that "lockdown is a lever that must only be used when there are no other choices." However, he said that at the first signs of an epidemic outbreak the government will react.

Measures announced February 22

• A local weekend confinement – the first in mainland France – will be enforced along Alpes-Maritimes’ coast until March 7
• Thousands of extra doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be sent to the department. There will be stricter checks for people arriving to Nice airport on flights from outside of the EU

Read more about the local lockdown and measures in Alpes-Maritimes here

Measures announced February 18

• From February 22, anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 will need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days rather than seven. Read about what to do if you test positive here. 

Measures announced February 7

• All positive Covid tests, either antigen or PCR, must be followed up with a RT-PCR test within 36 hours
• School classes will close automatically if one pupil tests positive with a variant, and also if one pupil is named as a contact of a parent or family member who is confirmed with one of the variants

Read more here.

Measures announced February 2

• President Macron said he wanted the country to be "as open as possible despite the virus" 
• He said that by the end of the summer, "we will have offered a Covid-19 vaccine to all French adults who wish to receive it"

Find out more about France’s Covid-19 response and how it impacts you in the articles below:

Coronavirus vaccine

Covid-19 vaccine in France: Your questions answered

Covid France: Vaccine open to over 65s from April

Covid France: Jabs begin for priority patients aged 50 to 64

Covid-19 France: Where can I book a vaccine appointment?

Warning over Covid 'paid' vaccine phone scam

What are the current rules for going out in France?

Easy-look guide for going out during curfew hours in France

Forms you need

The form you need to go out during curfew hours

France requires new travel forms, with separate form for UK

UK-France travel restrictions 

EU and non-EU arrivals to France now need PCR tests

France requires new travel forms, with separate form for UK

The 21 essential reasons non-EU travellers can enter France

Can I get an antigen Covid test to enter France from UK?

Can my British partner come with me to France despite travel ban?

When will Britons be allowed to visit France again?

General travel queries

Can I go to the airport in France during curfew hours?

Passengers' rights to Channel ferry ticket refunds

Airlines told to enforce French Covid-19 border rules

Sport

State aid for France's ski resorts as lifts stay closed

Cross-country skiing allowed from November 28

Warning for French skiers heading to Spain or Switzerland

French Alps ski station opens to show Covid health protocol

Culture and religion

Attendance at religious services increased

Schools

France sets stricter Covid protocol for schools

Business and finances

Aid announced for winter seasonal workers

General

How effective is the Covid nasal spray made in France?

Covid France: Why does my FFP2 mask have holes in it?

What is the picture for the rest of Europe?