France's prime minister stood by a plan for lifting its coronavirus lockdown next week, despite concerns the government is moving too fast to reopen schools as well as doubts over the availability of face masks, AFP reported.

“This confinement was necessary to meet the emergency, but its social and economic cost is colossal,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told senators while laying out his government's strategy.

“We're at a decisive moment, we cannot remain in confinement,” he said. “Economic life must resume imperatively and quickly.”