The Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, announced Thursday, May 28 the main lines of “phase 2” of deconfinement. The return to an almost normal life is assured for the coming weeks, thanks to a health situation which the head of government clarified that it was “under control”. But three sectors, including Ile de France, remain classified as “orange” with some restrictions imposed.
“Freedom will once again become the rule”. Edouard Philippe’s announcements on “phase 2” of deconfinement are indeed going in the direction of an almost general return to an almost normal life, even if some restrictions will continue to exist in the only 3 zones not to have passed to the “green” since the start of deconfinement, Ile de France, Mayotte and Guyana.
An “opening” that allows “the good results in terms of health” underlined by the Prime Minister despite the persistence of several “clusters” (grouped and localized contamination), resuscitation services still under tension and the fragility of vulnerable people and precarious in the face of the risk of Covid-19.
Professional activities
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of resuming the economic activities most affected by the crisis in a context of a very sharp rise in the number of unemployed. However, the rule of priority to be given to telework when possible remains in force.
Travel
The ban on traveling more than 100 kilometers from one’s home is repealed. The head of government nevertheless specified that travel over significant distances could be postponed as much as possible.
Cafes and restaurants
In the departments in the green zone (outside Ile de France, therefore for the metropolis), the reopening is authorized. But some constraints remain such as the distance of one meter between the tables, the wearing of a mask to circulate in the rooms and the impossibility of consuming at the counter.
For sectors in the “orange” zone, only the terraces will be able to reopen.
On the side of the professionals of the restoration it is the relief. “It’s better than a closure, there is no limitation of people and the conditions are easy to respect, reacts Yoann Hessemans manager of the Paddy rock bar near Melun (77) in the orange zone. I have the lucky to have a terrace and I have a lot of seats. On the other hand, we will have to ask people to leave if they do not consume anything for half an hour in order to let others enjoy it” .
Announcements also well received by David Zenouda, owner of 6 Parisian establishments, 2 of which do not have a terrace. “We had to let go of the ballast because people no longer think about the epidemic and no longer respect barrier gestures, he believes. On the other hand, there are still uncertainties about the negotiations with the Paris City Hall to enlarge our terraces and of course the weather. Then I’m disappointed for my night bars. It’s going to be hard economically to wait”.
Hobbies
Parks and gardens are reopening everywhere, but wearing a mask – as in all public places – may be made compulsory by decision of the local authorities. While the Respire association had filed an interim order with the Council of State on Monday to request the reopening of parks and gardens in red zones, the announcement of free access tomorrow to green spaces is seen as a ” Victoire”. “This is good news for all French people, especially in light of the social emergency which is likely to worsen in the months and years to come,” said Pierre-Eugène Burghardt.
The beaches will again be free to access. For museums, it is also time for the public to return. As for sports facilities, leisure parks and performance venues, they will have to guarantee respect for distances and, for performance halls, the wearing of a mask will be imposed.
Cinemas, on the other hand, will not reopen until June 22 throughout France.
Educational institutions
It’s back-to-school time! All schools and colleges will be open on June 2 with respect to the rules of classes of 15 students for departments in the “green” zone and priority given to 5th and 6th grade classes for sectors in the “orange” zone.
High school students will be welcomed in their establishments to take stock of their career and in particular their choices and their orientation in higher education. The oral exams of the French baccalaureate for high school students in the 1st year will not be given and the marks will be given according to the results of the first two terms.
Vacations
Campsites will be able to accommodate holidaymakers who are now free to travel with the end of the 100 kilometer limit.
If travel to other European countries should be possible quickly – Edouard Philippe expressed his wish that this be the case – travelers who had planned to go outside Europe will have to wait until June 15, the date on which the countries of the EU will take a common position on Europe’s external borders.
“Now, I’m sure I’ll go on vacation, rejoices Caroline, 44, self-employed. On the other hand, I think I’ll go to France this year. confirms the idea of staying there. I was still waiting for government announcements to find out how I was going to organize myself. I wanted to know if we were allowed to go a little further than 100 kilometers from home. me !”.
“I will be able to take care of my vacation this weekend and book accommodation without forbidding me to go to Spain, near the border with France, reacts Nathalie, 48, a bank executive. On the other hand , I will not take the plane: if I travel by car, I know that I will be able to return more easily if there is a second wave. In recent weeks, with my husband, we have not been able to plan, but I still thought that it would be possible to go to a neighboring country”.
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