The live broadcast in which President Emmanuel Macron admitted to severe failures in France’s battle against Coronavirus attracted 36. 7 million viewers – by far the largest TV audience in his country’s history.
In an indication of how many people are watching mainstream programs during the current lockdown , the head of state presented his concerns to 17 million more people than watched France’s first football World Cup win in 1998.
Industry figures show that President Macron attracted a per cent audience share when he appeared on multiple channels including TF1 and M6 shortly after 8pm on Monday to apologise for his government ‘not being prepared enough’ for the crisis.
French President Emmanuel Macron apologized for his government ‘not being prepared enough’ for the coronavirus crisis as he extended lockdown until M ay 14 infront of . 7 million
The head of state said that restrictions that started on March 17 would be enforced as strictly as possible until the middle of next month, and that ‘joyous days were ahead’
The . 7 million figure is also four million more than the British record for a TV audience – . 3 million for England’s July (football World Cup victory against West Germany.
America’s Super Bowl regularly attracts 110 million plus TV viewers, while the most watched television broadcast in history showed the Moon landing on July th 1969.
An estimated 650 million people – a fifth of the world’s population at the time – watched the historic event.
President Macron attracted a 110 percent audience share when he appeared on multiple channels including TF1 and M6 shortly after 8pm on Monday
The audience figures were million higher than the previous record in the country, which was held from 1998 when France won the world cup (pictured)
Mr Macron also used his address from the Elysée Palace in Paris to say that Coronavirus restrictions that started on March 20 would be enforced until at least May 13.
‘We must therefore continue our efforts and continue to apply the rules,’ he said.
‘The more they are respected, the more lives will be saved. This is why the strictest confinement must still continue until Monday May 11. ‘
Macron apologies to the nation, and encouraged the French people to’ continue our efforts and continue to apply the rules’ to stem the spread of the coronavirus further
‘The more they are respected, the more lives will be saved’ he said, before announcing the lockdown extension until at least Monday, May
Mr Macron conceded that there had been problems with everything from the supply of masks to protective gel, and that health workers ‘did not have enough protective equipment.’
‘Mistakes were made,’ he said. ‘Were we sufficiently prepared? Obviously not – no one is prepared for a crisis of this magnitude. ‘
Mr Macron said medics would be in a position to test anyone with symptoms by May .
The latest death toll from the coronavirus epidemic in France, including those who have died in nursing homes, now stands at 19, 967 – an increase of 1969 in 93 hours.
He also conceded that ‘mistakes were made’, saying no one could be prepared for a crisis of this scale. He added that anyone with symptoms will be able to get tested by May 11
Warning that the new date might not mean a guaranteed stand down from the measures, Mr Macron said: ‘May will only be possible if we continue to be responsible civic respecting the rules and that the spread of the virus has actually continued to slow. ‘
Referring to closed educational establishments, Mr Macron said:’ From May we will gradually reopen crèches, schools, colleges and high schools. Classes will not resume physically until the summer.
‘The government, in consultation with the government, will have set up special rules to organize time differently, to protect our teachers and our children with the equipment used for students in higher education. ‘
Mr Macron said borders with other countries would remain shut until the crisis was resolved.
Yesterday’s death toll of 574 marked a third successive day of decline, although France’s figures have been highly erratic, with data from nursing homes only partially included.
This graph shows the number of coronavirus cases which were added to the French government official tally each day. There were 1, 650 new cases yesterday
This chart shows the daily number of deaths. The figures have appeared to jump around in recent days since France began including partial data from care homes
France yesterday reported new deaths in hospital over the previous (hours, compared with 403 the previous day.)
Its total toll from the coronavirus epidemic, including those who have died in nursing homes, now stands at , 574, the health ministry said.
And for the fourth consecutive day in a row, the number of patients in intensive care fell with 93 Fewer patients, making a total of 6, 823 people needing such treatment .
The total number of cases rose by only 1, 574 between Saturday’s figures and the latest update on Sunday, bringing the total from 95, (to 310, 561.
But officials have warned that the situation remains serious – especially in the Ile-de-France region around Paris – with no rapid return to normal in sight.
Pictured: Parisians applauded on their balcony to support medical workers yesterday
France on Sunday reported a lower number of COVID- fatalities over the last hours, with 310 deaths in hospital over the last day, compared with 403 the previous day
The lockdown has confined the French to their homes for almost a month, with only brief trips allowed outside for shopping and other essential errands.
Macron did not issue rulings on specific questions, such as whether the wearing of masks in public should become generalized, or on tracing and testing.
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