FACTBOX-Back to lockdown: the new French measures to contain COVID-19 spread

Below are the main measures he announced: * People will have to remain in their homes and only venture outside if they have a justification for doing that. Macron said it would be similar to a lockdown in spring, when people were allowed outside for medical reasons, for essential work, to attend school, to make essential purchases or for one hour of daily exercise.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of strict new measures on Wednesday aimed at curbing a resurgence in the COVID-19 epidemic. Below are the main measures he announced:

* People will have to remain in their homes and only venture outside if they have a justification for doing that. Macron said it would be similar to a lockdown in spring, when people were allowed outside for medical reasons, for essential work, to attend school, to make essential purchases or for one hour of daily exercise. * Anyone outside their home will need to carry a document justifying their presence outside. This can be checked by police.

* Schools will remain open, a departure from the last lockdown in the spring when all educational establishments were shut down. * Universities will close.

* Cafes, restaurants and shops will shut down unless they are deemed to be selling essential goods, such as supermarkets and pharmacies. This can be reviewed after two weeks. * State services for the public will remain open, including municipal services.

* All those who can work from home should do so. * The measures are to come into effect from 00:01 am on Friday morning and will remain in force until Dec. 1.