Homes of French health officials searched by police in Covid-19 inquiry

French police searched the homes of the former prime minister, the current and former health ministers and other top officials in an investigation into the government response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The country’s health ministry confirmed the dawn searches, which included the offices of the current health minister Olivier Véran.

They came a day after French president Emmanuel Macron announced curfews in Paris and eight other French cities to deal with the rising toll of new infections.

Covid-19 patients, doctors, prison personnel, police officers and others in France filed an unprecedented 90 complaints over recent months, notably over shortages of masks and other equipment.

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Among those whose homes were searched include former prime minister Édouard Philippe, Mr Véran, his predecessor Agnes Buzyn, top health official Jérôme Salomon, and Sibeth Ndiaye, a former government spokeswoman. – AP