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HEALTH

Macron: It’s too early to say if summer holidays to France will happen this year

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday it was too early to say if vacations will be possible this summer, even as the country prepares a gradual lifting of a two-month coronavirus lockdown.

Macron: It's too early to say if summer holidays to France will happen this year
Emmanuel Macron was visiting a school today ahead of the partial reopening next week. Photo: AFP

The government will on May 11th start easing the strict stay-at-home orders imposed since mid-March against a virus that has killed more than 25,000 people in France.

But people will not be allowed to travel more than 100 kilometres from their homes for the time being, and bars, cafes restaurants and cinemas will remain closed.

READ ALSO When will be able to travel to France again

And there is currently no plan to lift the strict ban on non-essential travel into France.

Macron said in a televised interview: “We're going to limit major international travel, even during the summer holidays.

“We will remain among Europeans, and maybe we will have to limit that even more.”

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office confirmed to The Local that the travel restrictions on people entering France will continue after May 11th.
 
The PM's office could not give a date on when they would end but said “everything will depend on how the virus is circulating both within France and abroad”.
 
Scores of summer concerts, sporting events and other activities have already been cancelled, and until July 24th at least, France will require people arriving from outside Europe to remain in quarantine for two weeks – effectively ending many overseas trips as well as the country's hugely important tourism industry.

READ ALSO EXPLAINED: France's plan for quarantine measures for travellers

“The virus is still here, we have not beaten it,” Macron warned.

Macron's government faces growing criticism of its post-lockdown plans, in particular the move to start reopening schools next week, even as hard-hit European neighbours Italy and Spain push back any return to class until September.

Nearly 330 mayors in the greater Paris region have urged the government to push back the school openings, saying the strict health measures including a limit of 15 students per class are proving difficult to implement.

But parents worried about exposing their children to infection will not be forced to return them to school.

“I understand their questions, their concerns,” Macron said, though he added: “For a child, being forced to stay home for two months is quite a traumatic experience.”

He said his goal is “for all students who need to return, because they are falling behind, because their families are unable to help them study, because their parents have to work… that they are able to go to school.”

Government ministers are set to meet on Thursday to finalise the post-lockdown measures and determine which regions are still facing critical contagion risks, which could limit any easing of travel restrictions.

Macron also urged people to continue with social distancing and other protections to limit the outbreak.

“We don't want to start sliding back after three weeks” and be forced to reimpose lockdown, he said.

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HEALTH

Do I need a prescription to get antibiotics in France?

A new law means that a prescription is not always required if you need antibiotics in France.

Do I need a prescription to get antibiotics in France?

In most cases, people in France requiring antibiotics will need a prescription (ordonnance) from a doctor.

However, there are two exceptions, according to a new decree published in France’s Journal Officiel on Tuesday.

The updated law allows French pharmacists to dispense antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription for two common infections; cystitis (UTIs) and tonsillitis/strep throat (angines in French), which can both be confirmed by a test at the pharmacy.

If you suspect you have either of these infections, you can go to the pharmacy to get a test, known as a Test Rapide d’Orientation Diagnostique or TROD.

If the test is positive, the pharmacist will be able to prescribe antibiotics without you having to visit a doctor. You can visit the pharmacy on a walk-in basis, with no need for an appointment, and at least one qualified pharmacist should be on the premises at all times.

The move comes after a relaxation on the rules around vaccines allowing pharmacists to give eight common vaccines without a doctor’s prescription – in addition to the Covid and seasonal flu vaccines which can already be accessed at a pharmacy without prescription. 

Pharmacists in France receive a minimum of six years of training and can offer medical advice for a range of conditions, as well as dispensing medication. 

READ MORE: More than prescriptions: 11 things you can do at a French pharmacy

What about prescriptions?

For all other types of conditions requiring antibiotics, a prescription will still be required.

In France, only doctors (both general practitioners and specialists), dental surgeons (chirurgiens-dentistes) and midwives (sages-femmes) are authorised to prescribe medicines.

As such, you would need an appointment with one of these professionals to get a prescription.

What if I’m just visiting France?

French residents would normally go to their registered doctor if they fall ill, but people who are either just visiting France or who are not registered in the French health system can access doctors too.

If you do have the carte vitale – the card confirming that you are registered in the French health system – you can still book an appointment with a doctor, although you won’t be entitled to any state reimbursement. You would have to either pay the costs yourself (€26 for a standard GP appointment, plus the cost of the prescription) or claim on your health or travel insurance if you have it.

Booking a GP appointment can be as simple as phoning a local doctor or using an online service such as Doctolib. You may also call up SOS Médecins if you want a home visit, but this costs more than a usual visit.

READ MORE: How to make a doctor’s appointment in France

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