The French government has declared Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone area about Marseille on the Mediterranean coast as at-risk zones with a high risk of COVID-19 infection, Reuters reported.

The government decree gives local authorities the power to restrict the movement of people and vehicles, restrict access to public and air transport, public buildings, and close some institutions where there is a high risk of infection.

The move follows a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infections over the past two weeks.