The Council of State rejects any modification of the curfew for Easter

The Council of State on Monday ruled out any modification of the curfew during Easter week, demanded by two Catholic associations who wanted the faithful to be able to celebrate the Easter vigil after 7 p.m. “The inability to visit a place of worship during curfew, including during Easter week, does not manifestly disproportionately affect freedom of worship with regard to the objective of preserving public health “, estimated the highest administrative court, seized by the associations Civitas and VIA La Voie du Peuple, in a press release accompanying its decision.

The Council of State observes in particular that “many parishes have adapted their schedules”, with ceremonies which take place earlier in the afternoon, and that the conference of bishops of France has “proposed liturgical arrangements to celebrate the Easter vigil of April 3, taking into account the restrictions linked to the curfew “.

A decision justified by “the current deterioration of the situation”

In addition, he recalls that “the circulation of the virus on the metropolitan territory has increased in recent weeks” and considers that “in view of the current deterioration of the situation, the maintenance of a travel ban, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., is justified “.

Monday 4,974 Covid-19 patients were in an intensive care unit in France, thus exceeding the peak observed during the second wave of the epidemic in the fall. In 24 hours, 362 Covid patients died in hospital, according to figures from the French public health agency.