Emmanuel Macron in videoconference, from the Elysee Palace, with a 3rd grade class from the Itard d’Oraison college in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, April 6, 2021. – Christophe Ena / AP / SIPA
By participating in a videoconference with a 3rd grade class on Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron wanted to show his support for teachers and students, switched to distance courses as part of the third confinement in the face of Covid-19. During this interview, held during a history course at the Itard d’Oraison college in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Head of State confirmed a cautious post-confinement from mid- may.
From his office at the Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron answered many questions from students, initially intimidated. These covered all the concerns and uncertainties linked to the health crisis: When can we remove the mask? Will there still be containment? How will the summer be?
To Rose who fears another confinement, the president assured that “until the end of the school year, there should not be [en] to have “. After the three to four weeks of school closures, “we think we will have slowed down the virus everywhere and we will have accelerated the vaccination. This will allow us to be in a more comfortable situation ”. No question either, according to the Head of State, to extend the closure of schools, after the two weeks of unified spring vacation from April 12. “Will the patent be revoked?” “, Loïc launched again, receiving in response:“ no, we all want it ”.
Less strict rules at the start of the school year in September
“What flexibilities for this summer? Giovanni also asked him. “There will be relaxations for this summer and yes, the businesses will reopen there, from mid-May”, promised the president, according to The Parisian. To Nina who wonders if we should not maintain the turn of the screw, Emmanuel Macron replied that “doing it for two months is twice as hard”, adding however that “we will reopen less quickly than the May 11th ”. It will also be necessary to wear the mask “until this summer, it will be necessary to wear it as much as possible”, he replies to Lorenzo, while hoping that the pupils will have “a little lighter conditions at the start of the school year” in September.
If other European countries see the virus ebbing, unlike France, the president was keen to defend his strategy. “The question is, at what price do you have this? Germany has had to close its schools and non-food businesses since mid-December. That it decreases and that there are beginnings of reopening, yes. But in proportion we should have done three months of strict confinement? I want to think backwards: I prefer to tell myself that we have preserved the life of our country thanks to proportionate measures ”. On the other hand, he remained vague on the vaccination of teachers, indicating only that they will be part of the priority audiences when vaccination is open to under 50s.