Wearing a mask in bars and restaurants (Illustration) -
UGO AMEZ / SIPA
The coronavirus epidemic has been rebounding for several weeks, with 16,096 new cases of contamination and 52 additional deaths in the past 24 hours, according to figures from Public Health France, published Thursday evening.
Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health announced on Wednesday evening new restrictive measures depending on the cities and departments.
Departments are now classified into three levels: alert zone, enhanced alert zone and maximum alert zone.
Between the announcements of Olivier Véran, Wednesday evening, and those of Jean Castex, Thursday evening, difficult to navigate between the bans, limitations or authorizations in force in the coming weeks.
A new map now divides France into three zones: alert zone, enhanced alert zone and maximum alert zone.
In each of them, restrictive measures will be put in place from Saturday and Monday.
Can we go to a restaurant?
Will I be allowed to invite more than ten people to my home?
Will I be able to go to my gym?
20 Minutes
takes stock.
How are the three zones distributed?
The "alert zone" where "the virus is circulating clearly" concerns 69 departments.
This is the first step.
Immediately after come the "heightened alert zones", where the virus "circulates very strongly".
This level concerns 11 cities and metropolises: Paris and its inner suburbs, Grenoble, Lille, Montpellier, Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice.
Finally, the last stage, the most worrying, is the "maximum alert zones", that is to say Guadeloupe and the metropolis of Aix-Marseille.
[# COVID19] We therefore need, for each territory and in consultation with local elected officials, prefects and regional health agencies, to take the appropriate measures, those which will allow economic, cultural and social life to continue ⤵️ pic.twitter .com / mgIuIZTFnJ
- Ministry of Solidarity and Health (@MinSoliSante) September 23, 2020
So how do you go from one level to another?
According to three parameters, explained the Minister of Health Olivier Véran during his press conference: the incidence rate of the virus in general, the incidence rate of the virus in the elderly and the number of patients admitted each day in the intensive care unit.
Are all bars and restaurants going to close?
The rule is pretty clear.
In the “maximum alert zones”, ie Guadeloupe and the Aix-Marseille metropolis, bars and restaurants must all close from Saturday, for at least two weeks.
In "enhanced alert zones", the prefects will decide departments by departments of a closing time for bars, which may not exceed 22 hours.
These new schedules will be announced this weekend and implemented on Monday.
In other words, bars will close at 10 p.m. at the latest, but they may have to lower the curtain earlier in the evening.
Regarding restaurants in "enhanced alert zones", they are not affected by these timetable restrictions.
“For restaurants, the situation is different, we see fewer people standing.
This is why we favor measures concerning only bars in areas on heightened alert, in particular Paris, ”explained Olivier Véran.
What about outdoor gatherings?
For gatherings outside in public spaces, on beaches, in parks and gardens, no distinction is made between “heightened alert zones” and “maximum alert zones”.
Gatherings of more than ten people will be prohibited there from Monday.
In the "alert zones", it will be 30 people maximum.
What about major events?
In "enhanced alert zones" and "maximum alert zones", large gatherings, during which the health protocol can be respected, are now limited to 1,000 people, against 5,000 previously.
This is also the case for Roland-Garros, which begins Sunday and whose gauge has been lowered to 1,000 people.
As for major events during which sanitary measures cannot be implemented, such as “local festivals or student festivals”, they are quite simply prohibited.
Can we still play sports?
If we do not yet have all the answers to this question, here is what we can already tell you: in “heightened alert zones” and “maximum alert zones”, theaters sports centers and gymnasiums will simply be closed.
Thursday evening, on France 2, Jean Castex also specified that, in these areas, the covered swimming pools will be able to close their doors, the decision being left to the local authorities.
The outdoor swimming pools will therefore remain open (we won't hide the fact that it's not really the season anymore).
On the cultural side, can we go to the cinema, the theater or the museum?
Yes, cinemas, theaters and museums remain open in all areas, with strict health measures, including compulsory masks and respect for social distancing.
How is it going for private parties, weddings and funerals?
In the departments classified in "zone of alert", from Saturday, all these events, but also the associative events remain authorized but limited to 30 people maximum.
In "enhanced alert zones" and "maximum alert zones", party rooms and multipurpose rooms will close, but private family gatherings remain possible, but limited to 10 people.
Regarding burials, “whatever the area concerned, we have taken the decision in the Defense Council that they will not be affected by a restriction or a ban.
Once again, I can only invite you to be extremely vigilant, ”said Olivier Véran, however.
Can we go see our elders in nursing homes?
Regardless of the area, you can always continue to go to nursing homes.
On the other hand, in "enhanced alert zones" and "maximum alert zones", visits will be possible only by appointment.
Note that each establishment can also decide on its own restrictions.
Is it allowed to physically go to the workplace?
Again, nothing changes.
Going to his office is not prohibited, regardless of the area where you are, but teleworking remains strongly recommended, particularly in “heightened alert zones” and “maximum alert zones”.
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