Prime Minister of France, Jean Castex has unveiled a raft of new restrictions to attempt to combat the fifth Covid wave in the country.

Among the heightened restrictions is the closure of nightclubs and proposals to vaccinate children between 5 and 11 years of age.

Whilst speaking at a press conference, the Prime Minister also said the new protocol will be reinforced in schools and the wearing of masks will be compulsory in primary schools.

Jean Castex insists the government is avoiding the implementation of “disproportionate” measures to curb this latest wave of the virus, with daily cases moving towards the 50,000 mark: “This is not the time to set visitor limits, curfews or closures. That would be disproportionate,” he said.

As such, the Prime Minister is urging businesses to encourage working from home wherever possible and has called on citizens to "lift the pedal" on social interactions such as office Christmas parties, reports France 24.

In addition, health passes confirming Covid vaccination will now be needed for eating in reserved zones at outdoor Christmas markets.

Following a cabinet meeting, Castex said in a televised address: "The situation demands an individual as well as a collective effort.

"But it's no longer the time for lockdowns," he said, referring to close to a 90% vaccination rate of the eligible population in France, whilst at the same time pressing the non-vaccinated to have the vaccine, in a show of "solidarity" with health workers.

The Prime Minister went on to say: “My message is very simple: Until the end of the year, we stop, we protect ourselves and thus we protect our ability to enjoy Christmas.”

Moreover, Health Minister Olivier Veran announced 25 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in France up to now, of which 21 have come from overseas.