REPORTAGE
>> For ten days, our reporter travels through Southern Europe to understand how our European neighbors are living their deconfinement, the reopening of borders, the approach of holidays, but also taking the pulse of the local economy. A trip from Italy to Greece, passing through the Balkans and the Adriatic coast. After notably Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, Jean-Sébastien Soldaïni crosses the Balkans and makes a stage in Belgrade, capital of Serbia.
Aside from the energy of a capital, the atmosphere in Belgrade is not much different from that of Novi Sad. The cafes fill up at the end of the afternoon. The terraces are well animated. And the gardens lining the Danube at the entrance to the old town of Zemun are well-stocked.
>> LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Thursday June 11
The inhabitants take advantage of their newfound freedom. All of them? No ! The elderly are still subject to a few rules. After having to observe a strict quarantine - authorization to go out only on Sunday morning from 4 am to 7 am to do their shopping - they must now continue to wear a mask and gloves in public space.
"The priority is health"
Difficult to find people of this age who speak English, so I try my luck at the association of retirees. Fortunately (chance?), It is 200 meters from where I am. One of the members of the association agrees to play the translators with Djuro, 81 years old.
Find the previous stages of our tour of Europe
• First stage, Ventimiglia: if French tourists do not come, "we can close"
• Second stage, Milan: reinventing yourself to survive the economic crisis
• Third stage, Venice: calm, clean and silent
• Fourth stage on the Slovenian border: "One drop after another, the vase will fill up to return to a normal situation"
• Fifth stage, in Slovenia: normal life ...
• Sixth stage, Croatia: awaiting tourists
• Seventh stage, Novi Sad: health constraints swept aside
The octogenarian readily accepts the rules: "I lived in the Second World War", laughs the old man with a metallic voice, "then a mask and gloves ..." At the start, the over 65s felt discriminated against by these measures, but over time they accepted them, well helped by the youngest. "The priority is our health. We are fragile," insists Ratko, 79.