French President Emmanuel Macron said the country’s coronavirus lockdown will be extended until May 11 and eased afterward, setting out a plan to progressively wind down restrictive measures.

“The epidemic is not under control yet,. The strictest lockdown must continue until May 11.

After that date, kindergartens, schools and workplaces will progressively reopen, based on a plan that will be announced by the government by the end of April. The elderly, handicapped and those with pre-existing chronic conditions would have to remain under lockdown beyond May 11, and cafés, restaurants, bars, cinemas and theaters, concert halls and museums would remain closed.

As of May 11, the central government, in coordination with local mayors, will make available general-use masks for each citizen, as well as for workers who are most exposed. The use of a mask on public transport and other situations could also become “systematic”.

The country will have the capacity to test every person presenting symptoms as of May 11, though we won"t test every French person - it would have no meaning. People who test positive for the virus will be quarantined”, - concluded Macron.