French Prime Minister Edward Philippe said on Tuesday that the blockade imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus in France had saved tens of thousands of lives, but it was time to ease restrictions to prevent an economic meltdown.

The death the toll in France exceeded 23,000 on Monday, the fourth highest in the world after the United States, Italy, and Spain.
But the government is now looking to take advantage of lower infection rates to save the deteriorating economy, although Philippe said that the French will have to adapt to a new way of life.

We will have to learn to live with the virus Philip told parliament on Tuesday; when he began defining measures to gradually ease the blockade. "We must learn to live and protect ourselves from Covid-19.
The Philippe the government faces a delicate balancing act, anxious to alleviate the growing the frustration of people hiding in their homes since mid-March without increasing the risk of a second wave of infection if France moves too quickly.

France will start withdrawing from the blockade on May 11, Philip said, unless it is safe to do so.
If the indications are not correct, we will not lift the blockade on May 11, or we will do it more strictly he said.

By then France will be able to take 700,000 tests per week as did the French prime minister. The country will cover the full cost of the tests.
Philip's speech will be followed by discussion and voting in the evening, with only 75 of 577 lawmakers in the French National Assembly sitting in the room to respect the rules of social exclusion.

Meanwhile, the French Prime Minister also announced that professional sports tournaments, including soccer and rugby, could not be resumed before September due to coronavirus restrictions.

The news is also likely to affect the Tour de France race, as it will kick off from Nice on August 29th and as crowds are expected to crowd with departure and arrival lines.
The professional sports tournaments 2019-2020, especially football, cannot be resumed yet said, Philip.

I would like to be precise here; no major athletic gathering or 5,000 or more people who require permission from the local police and previous arrangements will be allowed before September said, Philip.

The announcement appears to spoil the plans for the French Premier League that will start again in June and that player will be withdrawn from the market as of May 11.