France’s Covid stoicism has put Britain to shame

I feel like a teenager again. Tonight I’m allowed out until 11pm. What’s more, I’m permitted to go inside my local bar if it gets a little chilly late on. Merci, Monsieur Macron.

I imagine every other adult in France is a little excited today as the country continues its return to normality post-Covid.

The curfew, imposed at the start of the year, has been extended by two hours and restaurants and bars – whose terraces have been open for business since May 19 – are now able to open at full capacity. If all goes well the curfew will be lifted on June 30, as will the wearing of face masks outside.

The French are funny about their masks. For a minority they’ve become a fetish, a comfort blanket in a world they can longer make sense of. Masks don’t need to be worn when exercising but I have seen numerous people – predominantly younger joggers – pounding the streets of Paris in a mask.