MARSELLA, France – An angry place to eat and bar demonstrated Friday in Marseille to protest against the French government’s order to close all public establishments from Saturday to combat the resurgence of viral infections.
Protesters and local officials in France’s second-largest city also threaten to take legal action in an attempt to block the order through the courts, claiming that virus cases in Marseille have stabilized and that the central government of Paris unfairly elects Marseille for maximum serious viral measures in the country.
During a trip to the southern city, French Health Minister Olivier Veran defended government decisions.
“I am fully aware that some of the measures discussedArray . . . raise concerns, questions, even anger,” he admitted at a press conference at Timone Public Hospital. “These measures are necessary. They are temporary, but not arbitrary. “
The government argues that hospitals in this Mediterranean city are under pressure and that closures are the only way to curb spread and avoid additional closures. The French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe is under orders.
The central government ordered less serious measures in a dozen cities, adding Paris, where infections and hospitalizations are increasing, but the infection rate of 100,000 inhabitants is lower than that of Marseille or Guadeloupe.
The Paris police leader issued a series of marching orders against the coronavirus for the French capital on Friday that will force bars and bistros to close within 10pm from Monday – wonderful restaurants – and starting this weekend will ban meetings of more than 10 more people. in public spaces, from the streets to the parks. It is forbidden even street music or music that can be heard on the streets. Gyms will also have to close unless they are used for school activities.
Orders signed through Commissioner Didier Lallement have an initial duration of 15 renewable days. Police will begin patrolling until the restrictions are met.
On Thursday, France reported more than 16,000 new infections, and more than 10% of the country’s extensive care beds are now occupied by patients with COVID-19. France reported 31,511 virus-related deaths, including those in Europe.
Gathered through a trade union of hotel companies, the crowds demonstrated on open Friday in a Marseille courthouse and some business leaders threatened to defy the closing order.
The president of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region, which includes Marseille, Renaud Muselier, said he would file a pressing lawsuit on Friday to protest against movements “restricting the exercise of freedom to do Array business . . . disproportionately,” according to media reports.
The occasion reflects a long-standing rivalry between Marseille and Paris that manifests itself to the fullest during football matches, but also spins underground on other topics.
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