France Announces Lifting Restrictions

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a number of coronavirus restrictions are being lifted.

In a televised address on Sunday, Mr Macron said France had won its "first victory" but he warned the virus could return.

"As soon as tomorrow, we will be able to turn the page on this first chapter across all our territory," he said.

Restaurants, hotels and cafés were allowed to reopen in many parts of France earlier this month - provided distancing rules were observed.

Mr Macron confirmed that from Monday, this would also happen in the Paris region, which recorded the highest number of cases in the country.

He also said that schools would reopen from 22 June - except for high schools.

People will also be able to visit family members in retirement homes, which have been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Germany, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland are fully reopening borders with EU countries on Monday.

Travellers from the UK will be able to visit them without quarantine or restrictions on arrival.

However, those travelling to France from the UK or Spain face a two-week isolation period on arrival.

And most people returning to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area - the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man - face a similar quarantine.

Source: BBC