Britain could learn from France’s coronavirus approach

If there is a God, He’s not French. Last night I was on the balcony of my apartment in Paris enjoying a celebratory ‘deconfinement’ bottle of wine; this morning on my first day of (partial) liberty there is heavy rain and high wind. So much for getting out and about on day one of post-lockdown life in France.

Not that it will be that easy even when the weather does stop misbehaving. Paris is in the ‘red zone’, one of four regions of France that still has many restrictions in place, affecting 27 million people.

In the ‘green’ zone, effectively the west and south of the country, parks are open, primary and secondary schools and shops are reopening and some beaches are also accessible.

In Paris, however, while most shops will reopen the parks remain closed, as do secondary schools. One will require a permit from their employer to travel on public transport in the rush hour otherwise they face a £120 (€135) fine.