French President Emmanuel Macron said late Monday that the European country’s shutdown will be extended to May 11, but said he will then ease the restrictive measures.

"The epidemic is not under control yet," Macron said in the address. "The strictest lockdown must continue until May 11.

“I appreciate the effort I am asking of you. There is new hope but nothing is won at the moment … the epidemic is not under control.”

After May 11, France will gradually reopen the country, beginning with kindergartens, schools and workplaces.

“Many children are missing out of school and there is an inequality in that there are those who don’t have access to the internet and can’t be helped by their parents,” Macron said.

Restaurants, cafes, hotels, museums and cultural sites will stay closed, while large events such as concerts and festivals will only be allowed after mid-July.

France has now entered its fourth week of lockdown, with citizens only allowed to leave their homes for food, work, medical care or to get some limited exercise.

Germany’s Health Minister, Jens Spahn, told CNBC Monday that his country is also considering steps to reopen the economy.

“We are thinking about step by step, that is important ... going back to a new normal,” Spahn said on the “Closing Bell” program. “All the measures we have taken like keeping distance, wearing masks, no parties ... are definitely measures that need to be there in place for months to come.”

As of Monday at 5:35 p.m. ET, there are 137,875 cases of coronavirus in France, with 14,986 deaths. There are 128,208 cases in Germany, with 3,043 deaths.

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