(Photo: Xinhua)

Paris (People's Daily) - France’s Ministry of Health and Solidarity confirmed 209 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in bringing the nationwide total to 139,063, with 2,776 patients in critical condition and 26,380 fatalities. 

The country also reported 70 virus-related fatalities in a single day, the lowest figure since a nationwide lockdown was issued on March 17.  

Beginning Monday, France will begin easing lockdown restriction. 

Travel certification will no longer be mandatory, select non-food stores will resume business, and most school campuses will open gradually. 

International travel, hosting large gatherings will still be prohibited, and bars, and cinemas, will remain closed. 

The French government has asked the public to proceed cautiously and continue to adhere to sanitary restrictions such as traveling less than 100 kilometers away from home and carrying employer certificates when using public transportation.