The number of new Covid-19 infections per day in France is unlikely to fall to a 5,000 target by Dec 15 as the population is not sufficiently respecting social distancing measures, one of Frances's top coronavirus experts has said.

Eric Caumes, head of infectious diseases at Paris hospital La Piti-Salptrire, told LCI television that if the French are not cautious enough over Christmas and year-end holidays, it will lead to a third wave of the virus in mid-January.

President Emmanuel Macron has said the French lockdown that started on Oct 30 could be lifted on Dec 15, if by then the number of new infections per day has fallen to 5,000. “No, I do not think this target can be reached as the trend downward stopped, it is stabilising. So it will be difficult to reach that target,” Caumes said.