France is preparing for a curfew coming into force in Paris and other cities starting at midnight on Friday to curb an alarming rise in coronavirus infections, a day after the country hit a new high of 30,000 cases recorded in the previous 24 hours.

The government offered details on Thursday of tough new measures aimed at stemming the Covid-19 surge, including a nationwide ban on large private gatherings such as weddings. Shops and public places will be shut in Covid-19 hotspots after 9pm local time, although French Prime Minister Jean Castex said there would be exemptions for establishments providing emergency services such as health care or restaurants doing deliveries.