Authorities in France want to accelerate vaccinations against the coronavirus before Christmas as infections surge and more people with Covid-19 seek medical attention.
People can celebrate Christmas normally, but we must respect the rules...and get vaccinated, French Prime Minister Jean Castex told public radio outlet France Blue
during an interview in the Alsace region late Friday.
France has registered a daily average of more than 44,000 new cases over the last week, a 36% increase from the previous week, according to the latest government figures.
Weekly hospitalisations of people with COVID-19 went up 1,120, a 41% rise. The government on Monday closed nightclubs until Jan.6 and tightened social distancing measures in closed spaces and outdoors.