Macron Orders COVID-19 Lockdown Across All of France, Closes Schools

French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on a screen as he addresses the nation about the state of the CCP virus outbreak as a fast-spreading third wave of COVID-19 infections threatens to over-run hospitals in France, on March 31, 2021. Stephane Mahe/Reuters

PARIS—President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered France into its third national lockdown and said schools would close for three weeks as he sought to push back a third wave of COVID-19 infections that threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

Tables and chairs are seen in a closed classroom at the private primary school Jeanne D'Arc in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, near Paris, amid the CCP virus outbreak in France, on March 30, 2021. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters