Teachers and school staff across France angry about coronavirus safety measures have walked off the job. Tens of thousands staged a strike on Thursday.

Government leaders have seen new cases soar to more than 360,000 a day. They insist on keeping classrooms open. But, earlier this week, they relaxed safety protocols for schools in an attempt to calm teachers' unions.

The rules used to require parents to pick up their children immediately after anyone in the class tested positive. Now, students can stay until the end of the day.

Students can take a home test rather than visiting a testing site then return to school. In place of proof, their parents can write a letter assuring school staff their child is no longer sick.

But the changes did not satisfy the teachers who say the new rules put them at greater risk. And government ministers angered them by announcing the protocols through the media.

Further, teachers say they do not have enough masks or test kits.