France's two-week lockdown to try to stem the coronavirus is likely to be extended, officials said Thursday as the interior minister blasted "idiots" flouting the home confinement rules.
President Emmanuel Macron ordered French residents to stay at home from Tuesday except for essential excursions such as going to the doctor, walking the dog, or going for a solitary run, and banned any gatherings.
People can go to the office only if homeworking is not possible.
But news reports have shown groups of people strolling in parks and the one-metre (three feet) safe inter-personal distance has been frequently ignored.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner accused people of underestimating the risk, telling Europe 1 radio: "There are people who think they are modern-day heroes by breaking the rules while they are in fact idiots."
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