Журнал. World association for medical law. The COVID-19 pandemic. Volume 39 2

174 Medicine and Law Keywords: Fighting the Covid-19; Health Risks Prevention; Health Emergency Law; Restriction of Freedoms. France was among the most affected countries in Europe by COVID 19, after Great Britain, Spain and Italy. Between March 1 and May 22, 144,556 cases were detected and 100,038 patients hospitalizedwith 28,289 deaths. The French health system has responded to the epidemic at the cost of considerable efforts to prepare and adapt hospital services (to double the capacity of reception in resuscitation services) and mobilize health professionals practising at home and in health care facilities. A health emergency law was enacted and population containment was effective from March 15 to May 11. In addition to the provisions of Social Security Insurance, to fully support the care of all patients, measures to help businesses have been offered by the government, to limit the social consequences of the shutdown of the economy. 1- PUBLIC HEALTH POLICYAND HEALTH CRISES The state guarantees, without discrimination to all persons, equal access to care required by his/her state of health. France is a centralized state that gives the same access to care and prevention throughout its territory. The Social Security Insurance system is open to anyone staying in the territory, to fund sickness and maternity care, even to illegal immigrants (with certain reservations). In order to protect public health, the State historically had general administrative policemeasures, the application of which is the responsibility of the Prefects and to a certain extent, the Mayors through the Departmental Health Regulations. The Public Health Code organises the prevention of health risks in its Title III. In 2004, the Public Health Policy Act 2004-806 was established, including: a High Council of Public Health 1 , a national body of expertise in public health ; and a National Public Health Committee responsible for ensuring inter- ministerial and inter-institutional coordination in the field of health security and prevention. The National Health Risk prevention plan (Art L.1311-6 CSP), developed over 5 years, takes into account biological, chemical, physical and meteorological risks. In the event of a serious health threat (Article L.3010-1), the Minister of Health may, by reasoned order, prescribe any measures proportionate to the risks. The 1 www.hcsp.fr English presentation available