France is to extend its Covid-19 curfew to a further eight departments, Prime Minister Jean Castex said, citing a “tough and necessary” response as some opposed the restrictions in several cities.

France has been ramping up its anti-virus restrictions in the face of rising cases and imposed a post-New Year curfew from 6pm (1700 GMT) on 15 of its 101 departments, the remainder subject to an 8pm confinement.

Those 15 are deemed to be where the virus is spreading the most in a country which has seen some 67,000 deaths to date from some 2.7 million cases and with a reproduction rate escalating, AFP reported.

The new departments likely to be be subject to an earlier curfew are primarily in the east of the country, including Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Cote d'Or, as well as the central one of Cher.