- A new coronavirus is developing from China, spreading from human to human.
- There is worldwide concern about its possible spread.
- 20 Minutes went to Roissy to meet passengers departing for Asia, to find out their state of mind.
The flight to Chendgu will only leave in two hours this Thursday morning, at Roissy-Charles De Gaulle airport. But Mei, a young Chinese woman, nervously packs her suitcase in front of the counter of Air China. "I'm excited to see my family again for New Years," she seems to smile behind her white mask.
Is she afraid of the coronavirus currently plaguing China? Yes and no. She explains: "I often wear (this mask) in Paris because of the pollution, but it's true that I will keep it there".
Travelers take their precautions…
The virus, in the origin seems to be in the city of Wuhan, trots in the head of all those who are preparing to fly to China. A few minutes later, at the end of their recording on the same flight, Wei and Rémi confirm: “We have information only that which we find in the media. Nothing from the airline or the state. ” After inquiring with relatives of Wei, in China, the couple took their own precautions before leaving: "We bought masks and we will pay attention to the food."
Behind them, two little girls in pink and yellow combinations do not seem to be affected by the situation and have fun happily in the middle of large suitcases. Their father Kim, Franco-Chinese, takes them to celebrate the New Year with the family: “We will avoid public places, we bought masks and gloves. And the girls will not leave the house, ”he warns. Without losing her smile, Kim admits to being very afraid of the virus.
A few meters away, the check-ins for the flight to Beijing take place. Sébastien, a tall fellow in his twenties, kisses his parents who came to accompany him. Without taking events lightly, he relativizes: “My friend on the spot keeps me informed and she will equip me. And then I was on the government site (diplomatie.gouv.fr) and I will follow their instructions ”. And as he recited to his parents, he added: "I will not eat raw meat or fish. And I will avoid the markets too, so as not to come across crowds and animals. ”
… But regret not being better informed
Not everyone had Sébastien's reflex to go to the site of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. And many regret not having more information about the virus and how to protect it. Bao, bundled up in his big red sweater with "China" logo, explains: "Here, it's as if nothing is happening. Nobody talks about it ”. Beside him, Christelle waits for her daughter to embark for Thailand and abounds: "I am scared to death and when I ask if precautions are taken during flights and at airports, I am told that it is not necessary. Looks like they don't care. " Sitting nearby, a young woman says she understands her fear: “Already, we are worried that we don't really know what it is, so they could at least reassure us by showing that measures are being taken. Like… distributing masks or hydro-alcoholic solutions ”. Asked about the question, an airport agent replied: "We don't know much at the moment, people are already worried, no need to add any more". One of her colleagues gently lets go: “But we too are starting to worry. We talk a lot about it between us… ”.
Outside, behind the windows facing the counters, Franck, a taxi driver, smokes a cigarette, trembling with cold. "It is true that there is nothing about it. Yet people cause it, ”he says. In his black suit, he continues: “The worst thing is the Chinese who arrive and who do not see controls on arrival. They take us for crazy! Philosopher, he concludes laughing: "Either we are all going to die and they don't dare tell us, or they don't know more than we do".
The airport ensures communication
Contacted by 20 Minutes , the airport representatives defend themselves. First, they ensure that communication is very present in the international zone, to which we do not have access, without specifying exactly how it materializes.
Then the communication from Paris airports, joined by phone, explains that despite the non-decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a "public health emergency of international scope", the initiative has was taken to inform arrivals from countries affected by coronavirus cases via distributed flyers . Travelers are reminded of the preventive measures, the symptoms to watch for and the emergency medical service (EMS) is at their disposal at any time to take charge of them.
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- Health
- Charles de Gaulle Airport Roissy
- Paris
- China
- Airport
- coronavirus