The prefect of the North, Michel Lalande, has taken new restrictive measures for the department, in order to fight against the spread of the new coronavirus. The neighboring district, Pas-de-Calais, is also affected by these restrictions. In fact, the incidence rate in the north is 148/100 000 inhabitants in week 37 (from September 7 to 13, 2020). It is also on the rise in Pas-de-Calais. As a reminder, the incidence rate is the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants, over a given period.
“Sudden acceleration of the epidemic in the North”
The Nord and Pas-de-Calais have been in the red zone since September 5. The virus is actively circulating in these territories. To protect the population from Covid-19 disease, the prefects have chosen to strengthen health measures. Michel Lalande calls on fellow citizens to exercise the greatest collective vigilance, the only preventive means to stem the epidemic. In Hauts-de-France, the incidence rate has tripled since the beginning of the month: 42.4 on August 31 and 136.1 on September 10. Also, the positivity rate for RT-PCR tests was 6.6% on the same date. The city of Lille is particularly affected, with an incidence rate of 190/100 000 and a test positivity rate of 8.7%. The 15-29 age group in the two regions is increasingly affected by the new coronavirus, with a number of new cases much higher than the general population (256.6 in the North and 208.2 in the Pas-de-Calais). According to the Regional Health Agency, this increase is linked to private festive events and tourist stays.
New health measures
- The European Heritage Days (EHD) scheduled for September 19 and 20 are canceled “in the territories of the European metropolis of Lille (MEL), the Urban Community of Dunkirk (CUD), the agglomeration communities of Maubeuge Val de Sambre (CAMVS), Cambrai (CAC), Douaisis (CAD), Caudrésis-Catésis (CA2C), Porte du Hainaut (CAPH) and Valenciennes Métropole (CAV) ”. This is also the case in Boulogne-sur-mer and Montreuil-sur-Mer. Neighbors Day was also canceled on September 18.
- Postponing or canceling public events is strongly recommended. For example, inaugurations, conferences or congresses must be postponed. If this is not possible, the number of participants should be reduced. Garage sales and flea markets can take place if the number of exhibitors does not exceed 200 “, ensuring a minimum space gap between two exhibitors and ensuring a direction of movement with signs to avoid mixing of populations. ”
- The obligation to wear a mask extends and is made compulsory around establishments open to the public within a radius of 50 meters. This is the case for places of worship, performance halls, gymnasiums or even shopping centers. As a reminder, children from the age of 11 have been required to put on a mask since July 31.
- It is recommended by the prefecture to postpone private family or friendly events, given that a significant number of epidemic outbreaks have family and friendly origins.
- Municipalities are invited to consult their register to identify the people who are most at risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19, in order to prevent them from acting as barriers and to invite them to limit contact.
- Controls in establishments open to the public and with individuals are stepped up.
- Alcohol consumption on public roads is prohibited from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. until September 16.
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