PARIS (AFP) — France's economy is expected to shrink by a worse-than-expected 8% this year after President Emmanuel Macron extended a coronavirus lockdown until May 11, though officials cautioned Tuesday than any lifting of stay-at-home orders would be gradual at best.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had predicted a 6% GDP drop for the year, but that was based on a lockdown that lasted just one month, instead of the two months announced by Macron in a televised address Monday night.
Le Maire told BFM television that given the uncertain outlook for economies across the globe, not least in the United States and Asia, "these forecasts need to be considered with caution."
The massive relief effort for bars, restaurants, hotel, shops and other businesses closed during the lockdown will push France's budget deficit up to 9% percent of GDP this year, Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said in an interview with France Info radio.
"Each day, each week of confinement ... is worsening our public finances," he said, adding that France's debt would soar to 115% of GDP, up from just under 100% last year.
Both forecasts are well above the limits set by the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, which calls for deficits to be capped at 3% percent of GDP, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of no more than 60%.
But EU officials have already signaled the rules will be suspended as governments try to contain the economic fallout and prevent mass bankruptcies and layoffs.
Le Maire said government aid for small companies at risk of going under after losing at least 50% of their revenue would be raised to as much as 5,000 euros ($5,470) from 1,500 euros.
The total amount of this solidarity fund would reach 7 billion euros ($7.7 billion), he said, and some 900,000 businesses have already applied for the aid.
Macron warned that easing of the lockdown in place since March 17 would depend on a continuation of declines in Covid-19 death rates and hospitalizations, especially the number of people needing intensive care.
France reported 574 new daily deaths Monday, bringing the total to nearly 15,000, but the number of people in serious condition fell for the fifth day in a row, with 24 fewer people.
But even after May 11, officials say many of the confinement rules will remain in place with most bars, restaurants and cinemas still closed, even if some schools and shops are allowed to reopen.
"May 11 is a date we will have to win by respecting the confinement rules," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told France Inter radio.
"You cannot think that on May 12 we can say, 'It's May, we can do what we want.' We will still have to combat this," he said.
He advised against planning any summer vacations outside Europe, after Macron said borders with non-European nations would remain closed until further notice.
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said parents should not imagine that classes will resume as usual if lockdown restrictions are eased.
"All schools are not going to open on May 11," he told France 2 television, saying the aim is to ensure children at risk of dropping out and those in low-income households with limited access to parental help or internet access would be among the first back at their desks.
"In May and June, things are not going to be back to normal," he said, adding that students may be spaced farther apart from each other in class, and schooldays could be shortened.
Blanquer added that officials had not yet decided if face masks will be made available to teachers and students, though it was "highly possible."
© Agence France-Presse
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