Risk of December shutdown for France due to COVID?

I'm not Nostradamus, but I can tell you that shutdowns are based on ICU occupancy. In the parts of Austria and Germany, where fewer people are vaccinated, the ICUs are full or almost full. On the other hand, France today, November 24th, is at 29%, thanks to so many people being vaccinated.

However, cases in France have jumped from 5,000 daily only three weeks ago to 20,000 recently and 30,000 yesterday, including the Prime Minister, who, like most vaccinated person's, has mild symptoms. Germany was logging 60,000 cases

The French decision makers are meeting today. We expect new orders to mask outside and boosters will be opened to a younger age group.

As of today, markets in France are opening. I don't expect any shutdowns.

There are two online newspapers in English that can keep you informed, if they are available in North America : The Connexion and the Local

I read the French news regularly, and no one has mentioned anything at all about any additional lockdowns in France. In fact, 88% of France´s population is already vaccinated. Another figure the French government uses when considering restrictions is the ICU usage percentage. When it approaches full, the government acts but right, ICU usage is at 29% capacity.

Austria and Germany are not France, just as what anti Covid policies are in place in Florida are not those of Oregon, locations where case rates differ notably.

I cannot comment on Italy, but what is being talked about in France is the further restriction of those who are not yet vaccinated. Wear your mask, get vaccinated, and you are probably safer in Paris from infection than you are in many US cities.

What Tocard and Bets said.

Anyway, there isn’t any news source that has a crystal ball as to what the government will do.

I personally don’t think a lockdown is in the cards anytime soon, but my opinion is worthless.

We are in a similar boat, Meagan! I appreciate everyone's insights and the links to the local papers, Bets!

The government has announced today that tomorrow/Thursday sometime midday, the Health Minister will announce the new measures.

Rumors basically concern reinforced mask wearing and checks for health passes, as well as allowing anyone any age to get a booster shot, and allowing people to be eligible for booster shots only five months after their first two doses instead of the six months currently required.

Edit to add: another rumor of a possible measure is that the health pass gained by getting a negative Covid test will only be valid for 24 hours, rather than 72.

I also believe that Attal, the French government spokesman, also said today that the government is planning no curfews, no new closures, and no new restrictions other than those which encourage vaccination (meaning, I believe, enhanced enforcement and scrutiny of the pass sanitaire).

We're in France at the moment - if you are eligible, it might be a good idea to get your Covid booster before going, especially if you are older. My understanding is that boosters are required after Dec. 15 for anyone over 65 in order to continue to have a Passe Sanitaire. I think it's conceivable that mandate may be eventually extended to lower age groups, so having your booster taken care of may help you meet any future requirements.

Exactly right, Tocard. Sharon, your understanding is correct, too.

Bets is right, The Local is a good online resource. Their take seems to be the new measures will target the unvaxxed locals, not tourists. Which makes sense.

in strasbourg now christmas market still scheduled open tommorrow

Mask wearing and health pass checking most places

though boat ride around city no checking? weird

much colder now so lots indoor dining which we are moving away from
but its hard

The Health Minister and Education Minister are holding their press conference now.

For an update on the measures they announced (pretty much along the lines of what was rumored yesterday), see this thread:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/as-expected-french-gov-announces-no-lockdown-no-curfew

A small clarification: the pass sanitaire will only start expiring seven months after completion of vaccination as of January 15 (or, as of December 15 for those 65 years of age and above).

We are in France right now, actually on the train from Strasbourg back to Colmar.

The Christmas markets in both cities are still open, but even over the past two days there has been a definite shift. The pass sanitaire is now required for every purchase of food and drink, and you can only remove your mask to eat/drink in designated areas (where is pass is checked again upon entry).

When we were in Lyon two weeks ago, our pass was checked 25% of the time, maybe. Now it’s checked everywhere, without fail.

I am in no way qualified to predict the future, but I do not personally get the sense that there will be another lockdown right now. Of course, as we’ve all seen, things can change in a matter of days or even hours.

Well, here we go again, folks. All the talk today is about the Prime Minister’s planned address Monday night (12/6) and what additional measures he will announce. We shall see.

Not about lockdown, but general COVID status: We're in Paris now and all seems pretty normal.
They're checking passe sanitaires everywhere, event to get into the outdoor Christmas market in Reims they checked. People are also very responsible with making.
It was super easy to get our passe sanitaire, art least in Paris, most pharmacies seem too do it and it doesn't take long.

"The actual expiration date of the pass sanitaire is seven months after your 2nd shot ": is this about getting the booster? I will actually be in France (hopefully) around 7 months after my booster. Any ideas as to whether or not this will be acceptable or is it just too early to tell?

If, by January 15th (December 15th if you are 65 or older), you completed your vaccination scheme seven months or more and have not gotten a booster dose, your pass sanitaire will no longer be valid (or you won't be eligible to obtain one, if you haven’t had one already).

Well, the prime minister and health minister gave addresses last night and announced among other things that they are closing the discos for four weeks as of Friday. So if dancing the night away at a disco was your reason for coming to France, you’ll want to reconsider, as that is now off the table for the immediate future.