After starting the summer vacation season on an optimistic note, a rise in coronavirus cases in some regions and new rules on wearing masks has put a chill on France’s tourism sector.
The borders remain closes to visitors from countries such as the United States. But the re-opening of the country to many European nations and the beginning of a period when the French typically take several weeks of holiday time had some tourism operators hopeful that some sense of normalcy would begin to take root.
Instead, government officials have begun issuing warnings regarding new clusters of cases. The government’s health ministry has identified 6 departments where cases are considered elevated. Two are French territories overseas: French Guiana and Mayotte.
Four are in mainland France. These include moderate increases in Finistère in the Brittany region, Gironde in Southwest France, and Vosges in Eastern France. The most troubling outbreak remain in Mayenne, a department west of Paris.
As of July 22, the health ministry said it is investigating 122 possible clusters, an increase of 12 over the past 24 hours. Fortunately, the number of deaths remains well below the peak from this past Spring.
For the moment, there have not been any new restrictions placed on visitors to France or French families traveling around the country. However, residents from the U.K. must still fill out their contact tracing form before they can return to their home country.
It should be noted that France has dramatically increased its testing capacity as well as its contact tracing programs. So better monitoring could account for a portion of this increase.
Still, the numbers made the government nervous enough to require everyone to wear masks while inside any spaces that welcome the general public. Failing to wear a mask could get you fined €135.
Yet, the government also insists that the country does not appear anywhere close to a second wave. And so for now, there is no talk of reimposing a general lockdown.
Indeed, across the country, the sunny summer weather has brought local residents out onto the expanded terraces set up by restaurants, creating at least some appearance of a typical French summer.
One other situation to monitor: The Spanish-French border. The Catalonia region, which includes Barcelona, has seen a spike in cases. Spanish officials are begging the French not to close the border again while insisting the situation is under control.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex has only said the government remains in contact with the Spanish government. “We are monitoring this very closely, here in particular, because it is a real issue that we also need to discuss with the Spanish authorities,” said Castex, according to The Local.
I am an American journalist based in Toulouse, France, writing about technology, travel, culture, politics, and entertainment. Before moving to France in 2014, I spent 15
I am an American journalist based in Toulouse, France, writing about technology, travel, culture, politics, and entertainment. Before moving to France in 2014, I spent 15 years covering Silicon Valley for the Los Angeles Times and The San Jose Mercury News. I also run the French Crossroads travel website.