French PM Édouard Philippe has arrived for the press conference on Phase 2 of the easing of the lockdown. (I will be trying to translate and type as he speaks, so please forgive lapses in translation and grammar!).

This Phase 2 will run from 2 June to 21 June. Resume of figures: health figures are good even if we have to remain careful, Philippe says. With health minister, he is going to give figures and outline worries, and education minister will explain how schools will reopen.

Then Philippe will announce the Phase 2 measures.
The 28 May coronavirus map is all green except 2 departments Val d'Oise and Mayotte. The virus is still present in various degrees across the country, but it's progression is under control.

•its progression.

Country is in slightly better position that government had hoped by this stage, PM says because people respected rules.

Philippe: However results not good enough for everything to return to normal and everyone has to remain cautious. There are still a number of clusters. And hospitals remain under pressure especially i/c units. Virus still virulent in group situations and for vulnerable.

All departments will benefit from large easing of lockdown rules. In departments where virus is still circulating, easing will be a little more cautious. But freedom will become the norm and repression the exception.

Principles that remain.
Still 10 people max in public.
Homeworking where possible.
Prevention measures remain.
Wearing of masks.

But there will be an acceleration of opening of schools, opening of some cafes and restaurants etc., (details to follow later).

Country must fight against a "historic economic recession". Unemployment up in April by 800,000 people compared with March.

Olivier Véran, health minister now talking about the incidence of Covid-19. (The graph is showing a very positive downward slope). Still tension in some departments where "clusters". Ile de France there are fewer clusters but virus is "circulating".

The R-rate of transmission in most of France is now 0,77, (this is the number of people a person who is contaminated will pass it on to - aim is to be fewer than one person as it is).

Tension in hospitals is high in the Ile de France region that is an "orange" colour on the map and Mayotte that is "red". Ile de France - the level of virus is "persistent" says Veran, so it remains an area of "reinforced vigilance".

If clusters emerge, the authorities will take specific measures.

Véran now talking about tests. Says government's principle has been "protect, test, isolate". 80% of tests have results in less than 36 hours.

Véran: "Everyone who should have a test can have one. If you have symptoms call your doctor."

Serological tests being carried out not for the virus but to see if people have developed an immunity.

Back to Édouard Philippe talking about ontacts in public places, like transport. Respect protection measures and distancing and now there is the StopCovid application. It's not a "magical weapon" against virus, but will improve the efficiency of the fight against epidemic.

StopCovid is about: Test. Track. Isolate. The app will respect private information and date. It will not geolocalise you. It will be anonymous and temporary and the state will not have access to the information. This, he says, is a guarantee.

Simple to use, Philippe says it will tell you immediately if you are less than 1m for more than 15 minutes to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. If so, you should contact doctor, get tested and isolate. Philippe advising everyone to use app.

Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer now speaking about absolutely essential reopening of schools.

Since end of lockdown on 11 May, priority has been same: guaranteeing safety of pupils and teachers, Blanquer says. Method remains based on same principles.

Schools: 82.5% primary schools are now open and figure increasing each day. Aim is 100% for next week.
Number of pupils back at primary schools 22% in green areas, 14% in red areas.

From 2 June, all schools will be open. All families who want can send children back for at least part of the week. There will still be max 15 students, but sports and cultural activities will be proposed in tandem so parents can return to work in June.

It won't be perfect from one day to next but we have to progress.

Now talking secondary schools: 95,5% open in green areas, 28% pupils back (years 5 and 6).

From 2 June all colleges will open. Years 4 and 3 in green zone and years 6 and 5 in orange zones. Again, alternative groups of 15 and sports and cultural activities.

Blanquer talking about classes for disabled children - 20-50% of disabled classes open. Aim is 100% next week.

Lycées will open next week. Priority are professional lycees and will open depending on whether in green or orange.
The French baccalaureat oral test is cancelled.

For the baccalaureat the French oral result will be based on marks from the first two terms of school.
National programme is to be launched to identify children who have difficulties at school and should be prioritised in terms of the return to classes.

Back to PM. Cafés, bars and restaurants...will open in all green departments and also in orange departments but with restrictions. 1m distance between tables, kitchen and waiting staff must wear masks and customers (when not eating or drinking obs).

Consuming food and drink must be done sitting down.

Restaurants, cafés and bars in orange departments, (Ile de France, Mayotte, Guyane) can only open terraces from 2 June. Camping sites, holiday fillages, auberges can open in green areas. In orange areas, from 22 June.

Movements:
Europe: until 15 June border restrictions will be maintained. Any reopening of borders will be done in coordination with EU27 hopefully from 15 June.

Outside Europe: a common position will be adopted by EU27 from 15 June.

Reciprocal quarantines for countries who quarantine French nationals.

From 2 June, French can travel more than 100km from home. But Philippe says "the less we travel around, the less the virus will circulate...if you can postpone a long journey, it's probably more reasonable."

Culture, leisure and holidays.

"Cultural life can return" parks and gardens open everywhere in France. Mayors to decide if masks must be work. Museums, monuments, beaches and lakes also to open from 2 June.

In green areas: theatres can open, gyms and sports halls can open, swimming pools can open, leisure parks can open. No more than 5,000 people at events.

In orange areas: none of above can open before 22 June.

Cinemas will open everywhere on 22 June.

"Our biggest enemy are the big gatherings, and the risk is greater in confined places and without specific organisation", Philippe says.

Open air events, maximum 5,000 people allowed.
Indoor events same but only IF distancing and protection measures can be guaranteed.

Philippe now on to what remains banned until at least 22 June.
No more than 10 people gathered in public spaces.
Collective and contact sports still banned.
No discos or casinos.

PM talking about "vulnerable people", those with existing conditions and those over 65 years old, who are at risk: must limit contacts with these people and respect protection measures. To limit contacts, vulnerable people who work should try to continue to do so from home.

For the French overseas territories, new phase two easing will cover these territories too, but some rules regarding travel to and from these DOMs.
Philippe says he wants more flights for holidays so they will "experiment" a new form of quarantine for these territories.

Summer holidays: "I hope travel to Europe will be allowed. Outside Europe we will have to coordinate with our neighbours based on situation in countries." Children can be signed up for holiday camps from 22 June.

Philippe: "I want to call on all citizens to be responsible. Rules are one thing, we have to detail them...but the spirit of the rules is more important than the letter and the spirit is responsibility of our citizens. We are all players in the fight against the epidemic."

"Be meticulous and well-organised to protect yourself and others." Warns certain activities could spark a return of the virus. Show good sense, Philippe urges people.

"This battle, effort against epidemic if it goes in good direction, should double a mobilisation to allow our country to face the economic and social crisis we face," Philippe says.

PM now taking questions.
Q. Can measures be reversed if there's a second Covid-19 wave.
A. Yes. But PM says hope is that our testing and detection system is mobilised sufficiently to break the chain and contain the epidemic if there is a rise in cases.

Q. Why hasn't the government told people how to wear a mask?
A. PM admits it's not that easy to put on and wear a mask correctly, but says: " I think people know how to wear mask."

Q. Is it a seasonal virus?
A. Health minister Olivier Véran to answer this one. "There are hypotheses but no proof at this stage either in France or globally," minister says.

PM says president of government's scientific committee told him in countries with temperate climate 80% of this type of virus disappear in summer and in 50% of those 80% it comes back in Autumn. "I don't know what category it (Covid-19) falls in, and neither do you."

"It could come back so we mustn't disarm...", Philippe says.

Q. Education question and reopening of schools. Have schools reporter coronavirus clusters.
A. Blanquer answering this one. 30,000 pupils a day from frontline workers have been in class and no major health problems.

Blanquer says some schools have been closed if cases reported but that's not a failure it is a success to avoid clusters. "We have to remain prudent...it's a step by step process".

Philippe says scientists are looking into whether children can transmit the virus to adults. "We are waiting the results with impatience".

Q. In orange zone many school classes will not open until September, is this not a worry for children dropping out.
Blanquer says: "Schooling is obligatory...may not be possible to go to school, but a pupil must not be in situation with no schooling or link with school."

Q. Holidays and travel and borders. French borders closed until 15 June?
A. Philippe: We have to decide which countries where virus is circulating and from where it wouldn't be wise to allow nationals to come to France.

Within Europe, some countries have opened borders and "I respect that decision". France will take decision at its own pace. France's European borders most likely opened on 15 June. Quarantine will be reciprocal with countries who decide for French nationals.

Q. Economic question.
A. After the health crisis there will be a social and economic crisis, Philippe warns. Not just France but for half of humanity. "Everyone knows".
"It's true it's been a rocky path between health concerns and the restarting of the economy."

Q. Will you be checking on companies that have claimed unemployment benefits for staff while making them work.
A. Yes. And that's perfectly normal.

Q. Café, restaurant, bar terraces? Can anyone establishment just open one?
A. Not for the government to decide, but a decision for local mayors.

Q. Marriages and funerals. Will there be a relaxing of 10 person maximum rule.
A. "Before we asked people to postpone marriages, but people are impatient to marry, and we can understand that!" But Philippe says there have been clusters at marriages. I think answer is no.

Q. Transport. Will people need sworn declaration in public transport in certain zones?
A. We are working with local authorities on this subject.