Paris bars to close as virus alert is raised to maximum

French authorities have placed the Paris region on maximum virus alert, requiring all bars to close (Lewis Joly/AP)

French authorities placed the Paris region on maximum virus alert on Monday, banning festive gatherings and requiring all bars to close but allowing restaurants to remain open, as numbers of infections increased rapidly.

Paris police prefect Didier Lallement announced the new restrictions would apply at least for the next two weeks.