France

The French government's response to Coronavirus outbreak -- health and safety measures, restrictions on movement, social distancing, shut down of non-essential businesses and education establishments -- has been operating only since the commencement of lockdown on 17 March 2020. At first, the government only followed the advice of its Scientific Council. Following a split between the scientists on the importance and means of fighting the global pandemic, the government focused on the Health and Economy portfolios, which has contributed to it keeping control on the evolution of the pandemic in France.