By Staff, Agencies

France's GDP contracted 5.8% in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown imposed in March, the national statistics agency stated Thursday.

The country has fallen into a recession after its GDP contracted 5.8%, according to the national statistics agency, INSEE.

The agency stated that the drop is the steepest since evaluations began being recorded in 1949 because it exceeds the 1.6% drop in the third quarter of 2009 and the 5.3% decline in the second quarter of 1968. According to the agency, consumer spending also fell by almost 18% last month despite a rise in food spending.

The agency said that the drop is caused by the stop in non-essential activities as part of the lockdown imposed in mid-March.

Relatively, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday presented to parliament the government's detailed plan for gradually easing France's strict lockdown from 11 May.

Most businesses will be allowed to reopen from May 11 but restaurants and bars are expected to remain closed for longer. Markets and shopping centers are also allowed to resume work, however, local authorities have the right to rule out reopening if deemed necessary.

According to the latest data from the health authorities, over 128,400 cases have been registered in France, while more than 24,000 people have succumbed to the virus.