Macron ordered Wednesday night the closure of non-essential shops and businesses across the country, a measure included in the new national lockdown to fight the spread of the pandemic.

According to the Bercy Fortress, as France´s Finance Ministry is well known, with companies and additional people affected, government aid and compensation will rise to €11 billion per month.

This figure includes solidarity funds, partial unemployment and social contribution exemptions as well as support for those businesses that are still open but severely affected by the economic crisis.

Food stores, bookstores and music stores remain open, the latter temporarily considered as essentials, in order to increase entertainment options.

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