The strictest restrictions announced Monday in Marseille and Bordeaux were a reaction to a request by the French minister to take further action to halt the growing number of infections, which were putting pressure on regional fitness services.
In Bordeaux, the region’s most sensible government official announced a ban on meetings of more than 10 people in public parks, along the city’s picturesque river and on the beaches.
Fun fairs, antique fairs and neighborhood parties are also prohibited. The new regulations also restrict the duration of giant public gatherings to no more than 1,000 people, below the national threshold of 5,000 people. as well as events.
To counter the party, Bordeaux’s cafes and restaurants will no longer be to cater to status visitors and will not be able to play outdoor music. Dancing is prohibited in public places, adding weddings. Drinking alcohol in public is also prohibited in Bordeaux, a center of the French wine industry.
The regional government has also called on Bordeaux to restrict the personal circle of family gatherings, especially weddings, to up to 10 people.
The Gironde region, which includes Bordeaux for the most part, was saved from the first wave of infections in France that hit hospitals and caused a two-month closure from March, but is now experiencing a strong build-up of positive tests, at rates higher than national ones. especially in the 15- to 44-year-old age group.
In March, France’s largest city after Paris, the regional government announced a series of restrictions and the cancellation of an 11-day foreign festival, as well as an increasing number of places where the mask will be mandatory outdoors.
The most sensible government official in the Marseille region has promised to temporarily close bars and restaurants that do not respect the evening curfew and to serve consumers who rise up. In addition, consumers will no longer be to the percentage of scented tobacco smoking pipes, a popular pastime. for some immigrant groups.
Student parties are prohibited and school trips are suspended. Shows and other occasions in public corridors, tents and sports stadiums are limited to 1000 people, who must be seated and separated.
France is grapping with the double headache of trying to revive its COVID-hit economy while reducing a stable buildup of infections, which extends to the summer months when tourists let their guard down and go through an increase in testing again.