Crackdown on French lockdown violators

French police and gendarmes have handed out 359,000 fines to people caught violating the country's strict coronavirus lockdown, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner says.

Security forces have carried out 5.8 million checks since the lockdown came into effect on March 17, Castaner told LCI television on Wednesday.

Under the French rules, anyone out in public has to carry a signed declaration stating the reason they left their home, which can be for essential shopping, work, medical appointments or limited exercise.

France has confirmed more than 52,000 coronavirus infections, and 3523 hospitalised patients have died.

Castaner also warned that nobody should think of heading away during the country's upcoming spring school holidays.

During lockdown, he warned, "you don't go on holidays."