Only 43% of this hard-hit country now supports lockdown measures

Europe was recently the hardest hit by COVID-19 across the globe. Over time, the rate of infection seems to have slowed down.

With strict lockdowns and rigorous testing, the numbers seem to have been brought under control.

However, public anger against lockdown has turned into protests across the globe, based on a pattern which started appearing across the United States as people demanded reopening of the economy.

Also read: Boston Dynamics' Spot robot helping doctors 'remotely' combat COVID-19

For the first time since the lockdown began, public support for it has fallen below 50 per cent in France, a poll by the Huffington Post has shown.

The French government intends to phase out the reopening process in the country, starting May 11. The proposals will be presented by the government to the Assemblee Nationale and then put forth for voting.

According to the new survey, only 43 per cent of the population now supports the strict enforcement of lockdown. Last week, the lockdown had the support of the majority, with over 51 per cent of the population in its favour. The strict confinement measures in place refer to a complete shutdown of industry and all non-essential services including schools and businesses without which the majority of the population can survive.

The survey further shed light on what the citizens expect from the government. 82 per cent of them expect the government to provide free masks to the general population, and more than three quarters want the blanket ban on cultural and sports gatherings to continue.

Also read: Amid complaints of faulty kits by several nations, China confiscates 89 million face masks

The public is also in line with the government’s demands to ensure that people work from home. However, school teachers believe that they are being used to improve the general population’s immunity against the virus.

The government has repeatedly asserted the risk of reopening schools and universities too early, and intends to do it in a “progressive and careful” way.

Many who need to access public transport to reach their respective schools and workplaces have expressed fear over what may transpire if they try to venture out too early.

The government intends to make wearing masks on public transport compulsory.