As of midnight the confinement is officially over in my area of France. We are green and not red. Were we to be red, then we would still be up the Covid Creek without a paddle, but as we’re green, we’re good to go.

What I have just said might seem strange. And of course you would be right. It sounds like a British Army exercise, but it’s not. Nooooo! This is France after all. The country has been divided into green areas on a map, where the virus is less prevalent, and red, where people are still up to their necks in it, whatever “it” may be.

Today, I need to fill in a form to say why I am outdoors and I have a document from my firm saying that I have to be at work. Otherwise I have to stay in, except forgoing to work with the right authorisation, shopping, going to see my doctor, going to see my family for vital reasons, or for childcare, exercise, but only for one hour, and within 1km of my house, if I have to appear before a court, or the police, or the participation in an action of national importance.

Tomorrow, I will be allowed out without an authorisation, but only in a radius of 100km from my house. If I use public transport I will have to wear a mask. If I go to the barbers, I have to have an appointment, usually taken online, pay by card, and wear a mask. I will experience this next Saturday when I might just be able to stop looking so unkempt.

Certain restaurants will be open, but for click and collect and using online payments. The Pub is still shut. Almost seems a waste of time going into town… But I still will go. I need to take a camera in to be repaired.

It’s going to be the end of lockdown, but not back to normal.

I remember the joy of being able to go back to work. I’m hoping to really appreciate having some more limited freedom back too. My daughter will be going back to school physically for two days a week and working from home for the rest of the week with lessons being sent in by her teacher.

My wife will be going back to work in a week’s time, driving her school bus, but it won’t be in the same conditions as before. Masks all round.

Lockdown is over, and we’re entering a new phase, but it’s far from over. It’ll be nice to get out though.