French government to extend lockdown if necessary - interior minister

PARIS, March 19 (Reuters) - France's 15-day lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron to curb the coronavirus epidemic could be extended if necessary, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Thursday.

"The 15-day period may be extended. If necessary, the government will re-conduct it," Castaner told Europe 1 radio station.

Since Wednesday morning, the police deployed to enforce the lockdown has carried out 70,000 controls and handed out 4,095 tickets to those flouting the lockdown, Castaner added.