French PM sees risk of second wave of coronavirus infection after lockdown ends

French PM Philippe delivers statement to unwind coronavirus lockdown at National Assembly in Paris

By Benoit Van Overstraeten

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parliament that the country will need to take maximum care in unwinding a nationwide lockdown in order to reduce the risk of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

"The risk of a second wave, which would strike a weakened hospital fabric, which would impose a 're-confinement', which would ruin the efforts and sacrifices made during these eight weeks, is a serious risk, a risk that must be taken seriously," Philippe told parliament in a debate about the lockdown.

France is set to end its lockdown on May 11.

(Reporting by Michel Rose, Benoit Van Overstraeten and John Irish; Writing by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Alex Richardson)