The live broadcast in which President Emmanuel Macron admitted to severe failures in France’s battle against Coronavirus attracted 36.7 million viewers – by far the largest TV audience in his country’s history.
In an indication of how many people are watching mainstream programmes during the current lockdown, the head of state presented his concerns to 13 million more people than watched France’s first football World Cup win in 1998.
Industry figures show that President Macron attracted a 94 per cent audience share when he appeared on multiple channels including TF1 and M6 shortly after 8pm on Monday to apologise for his government ‘not being prepared enough’ for the crisis.
The 36.7 million figure is also four million more than the British record for a TV audience – 32.3 million for England’s July 1966 football World Cup victory against West Germany.
America’s Super Bowl regularly attracts 110 million plus TV viewers, while the most watched television broadcast in history showed the Moon landing on July 20th 1969.
An estimated 650 million people – a fifth of the world’s population at the time – watched the historic event.
Mr Macron also used his address from the Elysée Palace in Paris to say that Coronavirus restrictions that started on March 17 would be enforced until at least May 11.
‘We must therefore continue our efforts and continue to apply the rules,’ he said.
‘The more they are respected, the more lives will be saved. This is why the strictest confinement must still continue until Monday May 11.’
Mr Macron conceded that there had been problems with everything from the supply of masks to protective gel, and that health workers ‘did not have enough protective equipment.’
‘Mistakes were made,’ he said. ‘Were we sufficiently prepared? Obviously not – no one is prepared for a crisis of this magnitude.’
Mr Macron said medics would be in a position to test anyone with symptoms by May 11.
The latest death toll from the coronavirus epidemic in France, including those who have died in nursing homes, now stands at 14,967 – an increase of 574 in 24 hours.
Warning that the new date might not mean a guaranteed stand down from the measures, Mr Macron said: 'May 11 will only be possible if we continue to be responsible civic respecting the rules and that the spread of the virus has actually continued to slow.'
Referring to closed educational establishments, Mr Macron said: 'From May 11 we will gradually reopen crèches, schools, colleges and high schools. Classes will not resume physically until the summer.
'The government, in consultation with the government, will have set up special rules to organise time differently, to protect our teachers and our children with the equipment used for students in higher education.'
Mr Macron said borders with other countries would remain shut until the crisis was resolved.
Yesterday's death toll of 561 marked a third successive day of decline, although France's figures have been highly erratic, with data from nursing homes only partially included.
France yesterday reported 310 new deaths in hospital over the previous 24 hours, compared with 345 the previous day.
Its total toll from the coronavirus epidemic, including those who have died in nursing homes, now stands at 14,393, the health ministry said.
And for the fourth consecutive day in a row, the number of patients in intensive care fell with 35 fewer patients, making a total of 6,845 people needing such treatment.
The total number of cases rose by only 1,613 between Saturday's figures and the latest update on Sunday, bringing the total from 93,790 to 95,403.
But officials have warned that the situation remains serious - especially in the Ile-de-France region around Paris - with no rapid return to normal in sight.
The lockdown has confined the French to their homes for almost a month, with only brief trips allowed outside for shopping and other essential errands.
Macron did not issue rulings on specific questions, such as whether the wearing of masks in public should become generalised, or on tracing and testing.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
