As the number of COVID-19 cases has started to fall in France, the country will begin lifting its COVID-19 lockdown this weekend, in an effort to enable citizens to reunite with their families for holidays, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced through a televised address to the country’s citizens.
Despite several other things that will change from Saturday, November 28, President Macron has also stated that if the infection rates remain below 5,000 per day, as of January 20, 2021, sports halls and restaurants may reopen, and 15 days later high schools and universities will be allowed to continue in-person lessons.
He added that every 15 days, an update would be published regarding the health situation as well as that additional measures may be announced, Erudera College News reports.
In his speech, the French President said that the government is doing its utmost in order to avoid the third wave and isolation. Among others, he emphasized that in early January, the COVID-19 test results should be out in less than 24 hours.
Lately, in a bid to ease students’ procedures over residence permits applications, the French Ministry of Interior announced that it is launching an online service which will allow international students to submit residence permit applications from home, without having to make an appointment.
According to Statista Research Development, over 2 million students have been enrolled in higher education institutions in France during 2018. Whereas the number of international students in France grew by 23 per cent over ten years, Campus France Data indicate.
Since October 30, there have been travel limitation actions in France and Martinique, which will remain in place at least until December 1, 2020. Whereas, higher education institutions in the country have been holding classes online in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Due to Coronavirus developments, in August, about a hundred Indian students were stuck in their home countries, as French visa centres in India did not offer them visa services.
The University of Alabama (UA) in Tuscaloosa has also announced that it is considering asking students and other faculty members to resume full-time in-person work on campus in early January.