New measures have been announced by the French government as countries across Europe battle the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. 

There were no major moves such as a new lockdown or curfew but nightclubs will be shut from December 10 for a month. 

Prime Minister Jean Castex said the cabinet had managed to rule out tougher restrictions such as regional shutdowns or a national curfew because of the success of the vaccination campaign so far. 

But Castex said the school alert level was being raised to 3 (level 4 is the highest). 

This means all children must wear face masks at all times inside and outside and there is a new clampdown on trying to avoid pupils mixing between classes and at mealtimes.

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However, unlike neighboring Belgium, France is not bringing forward the end of the school term for now. 

The prime minister also asked the public to refrain from congregating during the festive period. 

Castex stopped short of banning Christmas parties but he said social gatherings would be discouraged. 

As Europe heads deeper into winter, more people traditionally spend more time indoors in confined spaces, where COVID-19 can spread more easily. 

Addressing the media on Monday evening, the French health secretary said the new variation, first identified by scientists in South Africa, was "more contagious" than the previous dominant Delta variant of the coronavirus. 

Among the new measures announced is the plea for employees to work from home where possible. 

Castex said all companies that can enforce teleworking should do so for "up to three days" a week. 

People aged 65 and older can now get COVID-19 booster jabs without having to make an appointment and the vaccination campaign is set to be opened to children aged five and older in the next two weeks.

Existing national restrictions 

France already has two major national coronavirus restrictions that have been in place for some time. 

Since late 2020, it has been mandatory to wear a nose-and-mouth covering indoors in public and some cities, such as Strasbourg, have also enforced compulsory face masks outside in public. 

Also, the coronavirus health pass has been in effect since the start of August 2021. People going to bars, cafes and restaurants, plus cinemas, theaters and sports centers must show proof of full vaccination, a negative test no more than 24 hours old, or evidence of a recent full recovery from having had the virus, before they are allowed entry.