Emmanuel Macron walks the walk as he urges ‘proportionate’ Covid-19 action
The president and his wife strolled along the Champs-Elysees in a bid to show confidence in the economy.
French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron have taken a walk on Paris’ Champs-Elysees avenue to send a message of confidence to the French economy amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The French president walked hand-in-hand with his wife on the street known for luxury shopping and stylish living but maintained a one-metre security distance from others during the walk on Monday.
Mr Macron said: “I’m shaking hands using my heart” as he waved at people.
Mr Macron asked some shopkeepers and a taxi driver whether they have seen business decline and promised to support companies.
He said: “It’s important to have a response that corresponds to the risk as analysed by scientists.”
Mr Macron added that the measures France adopts to stem the outbreak must be “proportionate” and he added: “We cannot shutdown the country but we need to protect the most fragile people.”
