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France's Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Thursday warned that the capital Paris may go on maximum virus alert from Monday.
France, like a number of other countries in Europe, is experiencing a resurgence in coronavirus cases.
The virus incidence rate of Paris, the real indicator of risk, currently stands at 253 cases out of 100,000.
Paris has also met the criteria which will be used to apply a maximum alert. These are: overall number of infections, the number of cases in vulnerable people and the number of intensive care beds available.
"We need a few days to confirm the trends, but if they are confirmed we'll have no choice but to put it on maximum alert, from Monday," Véran said.
Paris is one of a number of cities and departments which are areas classified as High Alert Zones.
In such areas, gyms are closed, public gatherings are limited to 10 people, bars are required to close at 10 pm and the upper limit for event venues is reduced to 1,000 people.
Additionally, it is highly recommended to avoid private gatherings outside of one's immediate family and close relatives.
However, under the maximum alert, according to Véran, regulations may require "a total closure of bars."
A leading medical figure recently warned that France could face a protracted coronavirus epidemic which will overwhelm its health system if something did not change.
Patrick Bouet, who is the head of the National Council of the Order of Doctors, also said that warnings issued by Véran did not go far enough.
According to the Health Ministry, France has so far reported 563,535 coronavirus cases and 31,956 deaths.
(CGTN)
