On Monday April 13, 2020, France’s president Emmanuel Macron announced that it was extending its lockdown until May 11.

The president announced that progress had been made but the battle was not yet over. He added that after the end of the lockdown business would slowly be opening but that no festivals or events drawing large crowds would be allowed to take place until at least mid-July. The president also noted that theaters, restaurants and bars, as well as shops, would remain closed after May 11.

The announcement will affect the Festival Aix-En-Provence which is slated to be held from June 30 through July 18; the Festival de Beaune, which is slated for July 5 through August 2; Le Festival Radio France Occitanie Montpellier, which is slated for July 10 through 30; and  Opéra de Baugé which opens on July 22 through August 6, 2020. There is no word on whether these festivals might be canceled or when that decision may be taken.

France is one of the hardest hit countries in the world with 136,779 confirmed cases and 14,967 confirmed deaths.