Youth distribute food at Ivry sur Seine, on the outskirts of Paris, France. File/AFP

French government minister Marlene Schiappa said on Tuesday the government could not rule out imposing a curfew on cities such as Paris to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"Everything is being examined. Nothing can be excluded," she told LCI television when asked about the possibility of imposing a curfew, after another minister also hinted the government could take such a move.

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The French cabinet will meet on Tuesday to discuss further measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Junior Housing Minister Emmanuelle Wargon said.

When asked on Sud Radio about the likelihood of a curfew for cities such as Paris where cases are surging, she referred back to Prime Minister Jean Castex' comments that no options can be ruled out.

The number of people being treated in French intensive care units for COVID-19 exceeded 1,500 on Monday for the first time since May 27, authorities said.

President Emmanuel Macron will talk about the epidemic in a television intreview on Wednesday evening, his office said.