Parisians flee, sidewalks empty as France enters lockdown Parisians fleeing for the countryside jammed the roads ahead of France’s lockdown to slow the spread of surging coronavirus infectionsPARIS -- Parisians fleeing for the countryside jammed the roads ahead of France's lockdown to slow the spread of resurgent coronavirus infections, and there was only a sprinkling of people hurrying along city sidewalks Friday as the nationwide restrictions went into effect. In France, concerns were growing that rising infections would swamp the country's health system, so authorities ordered another four-week lockdown beginning Friday. Many areas of the French capital resembled a regular lazy weekend morning — on what would normally have been a bustling weekday. “The minute the French president gave his speech (announcing a lockdown), the entire national train website went down, was overloaded. “During lockdown, the quality of life in the capital is terrible and so everyone who can do, tries to get away,” he said.

Source: ABC News October 30, 2020 14:34 UTC