The French health agency reported 179,807 cases of Covid over the previous 24 hours, exceeding the previous record of 100,000 reported on Saturday.
Following nearly 180,000 new Covid cases on Wednesday, France announced that nightclubs would remain closed for three weeks.
About 1,600 clubs were ordered to close on December 6 for four weeks to prevent the spread of highly infectious Omicron variants that are fuelled by holiday travel and festivities.
On Tuesday, France’s health agency said 179,807 cases of Covid had been reported over the preceding 24 hours, far more than the 100 000 cases reported on Saturday.
This week, Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin urged local officials to limit public New Year’s Eve gatherings, particularly by prohibiting face masks outdoors and stepping up police patrols to enforce a ban on public alcohol consumption.
According to Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister for Tourism, the extension of nightclub closures was among several new measures announced this week by the government to combat Omicron’s spread.
“I can imagine the distress for these employees and entrepreneurs,” he said. Financial aid would be provided for the huge loss of holiday business, he added.
Parliament will debate a law requiring vaccination passes to enter restaurants, cinemas, museums, and other public places to encourage more Covid vaccinations on Wednesday.
Vaccination rates in France are among the highest in the world, with 90 percent of the eligible population being covered.
Prior to the vaccination requirement, the “health pass” could also be obtained by supplying a recent negative Covid test.
