Paris (AFP)

Wearing a mask in the street, cleaning schools, avenues reserved for bikes and queues for stations: the mayor (PS) of Paris, Annie Hidalgo, tells AFP the first tracks to ensure deconfinement in the capital , classified in the red zone.

Q: What is your doctrine on wearing masks?

A: "Wearing a mask in public spaces, in the street is extremely beneficial. It is a protective tool, absolutely essential. I invite Parisians to wear it because with a mask, you protect yourself and we protect others.

We ordered two million washable cloth masks, which meet health standards. They are coming gradually. A first batch of disposable masks will be delivered in the middle of next week. I want to give each Parisian a mask, free of charge. We will first distribute them, via district town halls, to people over the age of 70. And for the other lots, we asked the pharmacists who could ensure their distribution. I await a response from the Bar Council. "

Q: What do you plan for the reopening announced from May 11 of kindergartens and elementary schools?

A: "The Prime Minister's speech on Tuesday in the National Assembly was precise and clear. The opening of schools must be gradual. We must be careful. There is a real risk of a second wave.

We remain very attentive to the health of children. This is why we will apply extremely strict health rules, especially in our schools. These rules must take into account the small size and the proximity of our establishments.

In nursery and elementary schools, every effort will be made to prevent groups of children from crossing paths in the necessarily narrow corridors, in the canteen and in the playground. The scenario (of the government, note) which foresees 15 pupils per class, will be complicated in many schools in Paris. We work on lower gauges to ensure maximum safety for children and staff; and continue to work with the rectorate and the district mayors. Until May 11, we are cleaning all the schools and nurseries. "

Q: What do you plan for public transport, used by five million travelers daily?

A: "For large stations and stations, such as Saint-Lazare or Les Halles, which are very crowded, we are working with the regional prefecture, the Ile-de-France region and transport operators to develop the surroundings and create lines, outside, in the streets, and inside the stations, as we did after the attacks. "

Q: Don't you fear a massive transfer to the car?

A: "I will oppose that Paris is overrun with cars, synonymous with pollution. The pollution combined with the Covid-19 is extremely dangerous. We are working to develop new parking lots at the gates of Paris connected to the cycle network. I wish that there will be joint checks from May 11 between the town hall officers and those of the prefecture of police, which we will put in place to avoid any congestion in the town. "

Q: To promote bikes and scooters, what will you do?

A: "Beyond lines 1, 4 and 13 that I want to double on the surface with cycle paths, we are also working on an even wider bike network by connecting the Parisian axes to the cycle facilities that our neighbors are taking to put in place.

Rue de Rivoli, I would like there to be an axis dedicated exclusively to bicycles and another reserved only for buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and craftsmen's vehicles, but not cars. Thus, one can circulate from east to west by bicycle (from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot passing Bastille, rue de Rivoli, Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées). Avenue Foch could be developed and we would then run obliquely to Porte Maillot. We are working with the mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts de Seine), Jean-Christophe Fromantin, so that there can also be a bicycle extension to La Défense.

Finally, we asked Smovengo (Vélib 'manager) to ensure a maximum fleet. I asked that the bike shops reopen, this week, so that Ile-de-France residents who want to buy one can do so. "

Q: You are a candidate for your succession and obtained 30% in the first round. Do you expect a second round soon?

A: "Public health issues must guide decisions. But, if there is a deconfinement in early June, including bars, cafes and restaurants, I do not imagine that democracy is not deconfigured either. "It will be necessary to be consistent. I am fully aligned with the position of François Baroin, president of the mayors of France, on the question relating to democracy and the holding of municipal elections."

© 2020 AFP