Commuters emerge from lockdown, take Paris metro

Commuters emerge from lockdown, take Paris metro

France tiptoed out of one of Europe’s strictest coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, allowing non-essential shops, factories and other businesses to reopen for the first time in eight weeks as the risks of a second wave of infections loomed large.

Commuter traffic on the capital's metro lines was lighter than normal.

Passengers have to wear masks and stickers on seats marked out social distancing.

Local authorities distributed surgical masks at the entrance of Paris-Saint-Lazare station.

Many commuters were wary about stepping outside of their home after 55 days of confinement.

With the world's fifth highest official death toll, France is allowing a return to workplaces with social distancing measures and re-opening schools in phases.

The country's 67 million people can now leave home without government paperwork.