France announces progressive exit from strict COVID-19 lockdown

The French government has announced a progressive exit from a very strict lockdown from 11 May 2020, subject to conditions re decrease of coronavirus infections, and possibly by regions (less affected first and more, partition by green or red regions (Paris area likely to be red and therefore less rapidly unlocked). Our team in Paris will be holding webinars (one in French and one in English on 4 May 2020) on the subject of return to the workplace – and are of course very happy to discuss individual questions.

• Shops will reopen with strict safety conditions but not bars and restaurants (situation reviewed beginning of June).
• Schools will reopen slowly with significant conditions.
• Public transports are a real challenge and will require social distancing and wearing masks.
• Gatherings above 10 people prohibited.
• Remote working to continue where possible at least until beginning of June.
• Adequate measures of safety for employees to be implemented (social distancing, possibly masks, nothing said about testing or temperature).
• Employers should be flexible in organising work to allow employees not to come to work all at the same time.
• Specific guidelines by sectors/types of jobs will be progressively issued before 11 May.
• In practice, our clients are beginning to build their return to work plans and to submit them to their CSE (Works Councils).

We expect the Ministry for employment will issue more details in the weeks to come.

See our coronavirus (COVID-19) feature for more information generally on the possible legal implications of COVID-19.