'We are at war': France's president just announced a 15-day lockdown, banning public gatherings and walks outdoors

• France's president, Emmanuel Macron, announced on Monday that the country will enact a 15-day lockdown, prohibiting residents from leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.
• Activities like group gatherings outdoors or a walk outside are banned, Macron said.
• Those who cannot work from home and those seeking medical care will be allowed to leave their homes, Macron said.
• France reported more than 5,400 cases of COVID-19 and 127 coronavirus-related deaths as of Monday.
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France's president, Emmanuel Macron, announced on Monday that the country will enact a 15-day lockdown as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

Any public gatherings are banned starting midday Tuesday and for 15 days after, Macron said. He said that includes activities such as walks outside.

Macron told French residents not to leave their homes or meet with other people unless absolutely necessary.

People who are unable to work from home or those seeking medical care will be allowed to go outside, Macron said, but others will be required to stay inside their homes.

He told French residents to only take public transit if absolutely necessary and to only buy the essential groceries if needed.

Macron said people who violate the lockdown will be punished, and said that details of the shutdown would be given to the public following his address.

Over 5,400 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, have been reported in France as of Monday, and the death toll has reached 127.

This weekend, France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the country will shut most shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities as the country grapples with the coronavirus.

"I have decided to close all non-indispensable locations, notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, and shops," he said. "We must absolutely limit our movements."

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