Bars and cafes in Paris, which have been placed on maximum coronavirus alert, will be shuttered for two weeks under new measures to fight the rapid spread of the epidemic, but restaurants will remain open, AFP reported while quoting officials.

With the rate of new infections, hospitalisations and deaths accelerating months after the lifting of a nationwide lockdown, new rules on social distancing will enter into force starting Tuesday.

“These are braking measures because the epidemic is moving too fast,” Paris police chief Didier Lallement told journalists.