The authorization was granted in extremis, on the eve of May 1. The 14,000 French florists will finally be able to sell lily of the valley on Friday, but only outside and outside their shops, due to the epidemic of coronavirus.
In a press release entitled "Lily of the Valley will have brought good luck to the florists!" , The federation of florists is delighted to have obtained authorization from the Prime Minister to sell the traditional lucky strand of May 1 on the doorstep, even if non-food stores and businesses must remain closed until to May 11 to fight the Covid-19 epidemic.
[Reminder] Do you want to buy lily of the valley for May 1st?
✅ Do not hesitate to order them from a florist (only for delivery /
pick-up of orders) ✅ You can also get them from
essential shops ⚠️ No street sales prohibited pic.twitter.com/JT7vtVG7Q4
Illegal selling prohibited
Despite the forcing of flower professionals to try to obtain an early opening of florists as of May 1, the government has maintained their closure, and also prohibits the snap sales of lily of the valley, traditional too that day. For cut flowers, only mail order sales and "drives" are authorized so far.
The Minister of Agriculture, who oversees the horticulture sector of flower producers, had indicated that the bells could be bought in stores open that day, food, bakeries or other tobacco shops. This statement had raised a "general outcry among florists", recalls the federation, supported in particular by the union of local businesses (U2P) which brings together artisans, traders and liberal professions.
30% of open professionals
However, the florists who estimate that they will have lost a total of nearly 350 million euros during the two months of compulsory closure of containment, really need the 7 million euros of turnover that brings them thrush. "It is estimated that there will only be 30% of the florists open Thursday, and we know that there was much less thrush picked than in other years, but for us, it was symbolic and essential to obtain this right to sell on the doorstep, ”Florent Moreau, president of the federation, told AFP.
"Then the florists will wait until May 11 to fully reopen and limit the spread of the virus," he added. May 1 is the 4th day of the year in terms of sales for florists behind Mother's Day, Christmas and Valentine's Day, he said. Normally, during the weekend of May 1, 31% of the sprigs of lily of the valley sold in France are purchased from a florist.
Lille
Coronavirus: Free flowers operation at a Lille florist "caught off guard"
Society
Coronavirus: Emmanuel Macron maintains a (small) lily of the valley ceremony on May 1
- Covid 19
- Society
- Coronavirus
- Flowers
- May 1