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In a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Mr Macron announced school closures and told people to avoid close contact for fear of spreading the illnes, which has killed 79 people in France and infected more than 3,600. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on Friday said all gatherings with more than 100 people had been banned. Paris police had already turned down requests for protesters to demonstrate at sensitive sites this Saturday, including the Champs Elysees where violent clashes broke out between security forces and protesters almost a year ago to the day.

It's Saturday, demonstration day. Some people think that the coronavirus won't touch them and refuse to respect the advice Riot police officer

A riot police officer in front of a heavily armed vehicle blocking the road leading to the presidential palace said: "It's Saturday, demonstration day. Some people think that the coronavirus won't touch them and refuse to respect the advice." The government published an official decree on Saturday banning all non-essential gatherings, but hundreds of protesters, some wearing protective masks, began convening outside the Montparnasse train station, chanting anti-Macron slogans. The yellow vests, named after the high-visibility jackets they wear, were holding a 70th consecutive Saturday of action.

A motorcycle goes up in flames

A firefighter tackles the blaze

The movement emerged late in 2018, triggered by fuel tax rises, and swelled into a revolt against Macron's government. While protests are now much smaller, anger at Macron's government remains. Saturday's demonstration serves as a remainder to the President a day before voters are set to go to the polls in local elections. JUST IN: Eurozone circus - Barnier ‘is like a clown trying to hide an elephant'

Thousands of Yellow Vest protesters have defied Emmanuel Macron's ban

The protests on the streets of Paris today

Emmanuel Macron spoke to the nation on Thursday

Voters will begin choosing mayors for 35,000 town halls and almost half a million councillors on Sunday, overshadowed by the coronavirus outbreak which is expected to hit turnout at the vote, which is usually relatively high. Macron decided to go ahead with the elections despite the virus concerns, which have led the government to shut schools and universities, suspend major sporting events, curtail public transport and close tourism attractions. Disneyland Paris became the latest casualty on Saturday closing its doors until the end of March.

Yellow Vest protesters last weekend

Speaking in a live televised address on Thursday, Mr Macron said: “This epidemic is the most grave public health crisis that France has known in a century. “Despite the efforts to slow it down, the virus continues to spread and is accelerating.”

Coronavirus cases in France

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