Coronavirus: France extends lockdown until May 11

Speaking in an address to the nation on Monday night, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the extension of nationwide lockdown until at least May 11, as the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, according to foreign media.

After that date, kindergartens, schools, and workplaces will progressively reopen, based on a plan that will be announced by the government by the end of April. The elderly, handicapped, and those with pre-existing chronic conditions would have to remain under lockdown beyond May 11, and cafés, restaurants, bars, cinemas and theaters, concert halls, and museums would stay closed, according to Macron.

"Until further notice, our borders with non-European countries will remain closed," Macron added.

France has been on a total lockdown since March 17, with all non-essential trips from home banned and people unable to leave their homes without a signed and dated permission form.

So far, France has more than 136,000 confirmed cases, including nearly 15,000 deaths.