France's Leaders Debate Tough Decisions as Coronavirus Cases Continue

According to data released late on September 10, 2020, the country of France is experiencing a significant surge in SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus cases, as well as COVID-19 pneumonia-related fatalities. As of 5 PM in Paris, France reported 30,813 fatalities during the 2020 pandemic.

"The French government may have to take "a certain number of tough decisions," stated Scientific Council head Jean-Francois Delfraissy during an online news briefing, reported France24. "France is now at a worrying level which is not far behind Spain, with a lag of maybe 2-weeks, and much more severe than that of Italy."

There was the danger of a "very rapid, exponential rise" in some places, singling out the French Riviera and Provence region. Delfraissy, meanwhile, spoke out against closures of bars and bans on crowds, saying "that is not going to solve the problem".

To notify international travelers of their potential health risks, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 3 Travel Alert on August 6, 2020, saying 'Travelers at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and should consider postponing all travel, including essential travel, to France.'