Why are you lying in bed so early? France is set to introduce a night curfew and delay the opening of cultural spaces as the nation struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19 .

Bonsoir, les enfants: French bars and restaurants will remain closed at least until 20 January. Some non-essential shops have been open since 28 November

Jean Castex , the French prime minister, said on Thursday that infection rates were not falling as quickly as expected after the country's blockade, which began in late October.

The current lockdown will be lifted as planned on 15 December, when the daily curfew from 8pm to 6am will begin.

Museums, cinemas and theatres, as well as sports facilities, which were to be reopened on 15 December, will remain closed for another three weeks.