COVID-19: France lifting lockdown restrictions early starting with nationwide curfew
France is beginning to ease its COVID-19 restrictions earlier than planned, starting with the lifting of a curfew that has been in place since 2020.
The country's prime minister said the nationwide night-time curfew, which has been in place since late last year, will now end on 20 June - 10 days early.
He added that soon face masks will no longer be required outdoors, as daily coronavirus infections are falling faster than anticipated.
Speaking at a news conference, prime minister Jean Castex said: "We're on the right track - let's keep up our efforts.
"The health situation is improving faster than we had anticipated, everywhere in mainland France."
Last week, restaurants, cafes and bars across the country were able to open for the first time in seven months.