The French government on Sunday said it would start easing COVID-19 lockdown measures in three stages over the coming weeks so as to avoid a resurgence of infections.

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to give a speech on Tuesday about the virus situation, and he may announce a partial relaxation of restrictions that have been in place since 30 October.

"Emmanuel Macron will give prospects over several weeks, especially on how we adjust our strategy. What is at stake is adapting lockdown rules as the health situation improves while avoiding a new flare up in the epidemic," Reuters quotes government spokesman Gabriel Attal.

"There will be three steps to (lockdown) easing in view of the health situation and of risks tied to some businesses: a first step around Dec. 1, then before the year-end holidays, and then from January 2021," Attal added.

The current lockdown measures include the closure of non-essential stores, restaurants and bars.

France has seen a recent decline in new infections, and business owners affected by the lockdown measures expect to be allowed to reopen soon.

"We had committed to allow them (shopkeepers) to reopen around Dec. 1 if the health situation improved, which seems to be the case," Attal said.

By Sunday, France had reported 2,178,023 COVID-19 infections and 48,593 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.