Since April 6, a prefectural decree imposed the wearing of masks in urban green spaces and along the coast of the Alpes-Maritimes.
Saturday, the prefect announced the lifting of this measure.
The people of Nice have expressed themselves on this “freedom” with the taste of “normal life”.
"As of May 4, it will no longer be compulsory to wear the mask in urban green spaces (parks, gardens and landscaped areas along waterways) and on the coast (beaches) and on the edges of water bodies. (ponds, lakes and water features at leisure centers), ”announced the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes last Saturday. Since April 6, sitting on the pebbles of Nice also meant remaining masked in view of the prefectural decree. A measure, only half respected, which has just been lifted.
Sitting facing the sea, Hiba, 23, has never worn the piece of cloth covering her nose and mouth, only "in supermarkets" or when she "sees police".
She finds that having a mask outdoors is "synonymous with muzzle and uselessness."
“To have it while being in the open air to enjoy the sea, I found that ridiculous.
Today, we find a little meaning, ”she exclaims.
"We discover faces that we did not know"
A little further on, Zoe and Alice, 18, revise their lessons, hair in the wind and apparent smiles. They were not aware of the obligation to wear a mask. “We wear it all day in high school so when we meet ourselves on the beach, we allow ourselves to take it off. We discover faces that we did not know when we have known people for months. It feels good ! ". An opinion shared by Lucien who comes from Auron and for whom the mask was a burden. He believes this easing of restrictions is "a good start" for "people to talk to each other again."
Nicole, her husband and her granddaughter benefit from this “freedom” even if the septuagenarian has kept it under her chin.
“It's a time when there are not too many people, where we stay away from each other and where more and more people are vaccinated so it's understandable that we can remove the mask.
Afterwards, if it is only in these places, the freedom remains nevertheless restricted and it is normal if it is useful in places where the promiscuity is more important ”.
"We must remain cautious"
Places where there is more promiscuity, especially in parks. On the green corridor, in the middle of children's play structures, the masks are always on the noses of passers-by. Brigitte and Annie, both retired, sitting on a bench comment: "I feel liberated but I kept it in my mouth because if we go for a walk in the park, I will put it back". Her friend adds: “The problem with spaces like these compared to the beach is that there is a higher population density. We must therefore remain very careful. But this health crisis has also allowed us to be more careful. Even without having to, we keep these reflexes. We were marked. "
Célia also always has the habit of putting her mask back on her face when moving on the promenade du Paillon.
“Usually, we take it off when we get home.
So, there, the fact of being able to remove it when you are outside, you notice that people look at each other a little strangely to know if you have the right or not.
We take a step forward.
It's liberating.
"
For Christian, it is better not to take too many risks because we "are not immune to it leaving with too much laxity".
He concludes: "You might as well keep it as much as possible, everywhere when there are people around us".
Nice
The beach as a terrace, the library for working… These habits that will remain with the inhabitants of Nice
Nice
Wearing a mask is compulsory on the beaches of the Riviera coast
Garden
Covid 19
Coronavirus
Beach
Nice