The first step in the alleviation of containment, announced by Emmanuel Macron and then specified by the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, comes into force on Saturday.

Reopening of non-essential shops, new maximum travel distance… Europe 1 takes stock of what is changing today.

DECRYPTION

This is the first of the three stages of deconfinement that begins: on Saturday after nearly a month of reconfinement and decided by Emmanuel Macron on October 28 due to an increase in Covid-19 cases, the screw is loosens slightly for the French.

Now subject to reduced confinement, they will be able, for example, to go to businesses deemed non-essential, but their movements will still be constrained and a certificate will remain mandatory for outings.

We take stock of the changes that occur this Saturday, but also of the restrictions that remain in force.

What changes

Reopening of "non-essential" businesses:

 "Expectations were high," Prime Minister Jean Castex recalled, confirming on Thursday the reopening of businesses that had hitherto been closed because they were deemed non-essential.

Toy stores, bookstores, hairdressing salons, closed shelves in supermarkets ... Many brands are reopening their doors on Saturday, however, with the imperative to respect a certain health protocol.

A limit of one customer per 8 m² is established, and applies to the total sales area.

A family will count as a person.

As since the previous confinement, hydroalcoholic gel must be made available to customers at the entrance to the store, and a one-way traffic and regular renewal of the air is recommended.

To meet these expectations, businesses are organizing themselves to set up counting systems at the entrance to their stores.

In addition, as Christmas approaches, the opening of shops can be until 9 p.m. in order to avoid excessive flows.

Travel extended to 20 km:

the rule of 1 kilometer / 1 hour for leisure purposes is over.

Three hours of outing are now authorized within a radius of 20 kilometers around the home.

The travel certificate therefore undergoes some modifications, but remains compulsory.

Religious ceremonies limited to 30 people:

places of worship also reopen, but a limit of 30 people is imposed.

This may change depending on the health situation.

Resumption of property visits and driving lessons:

property visits, previously prohibited, can now resume, provided that a reinforced health protocol is respected.

Driving schools will again be able to give practical driving lessons.

The courses to prepare for the Highway Code will always be done remotely.

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What does not change (yet)

Getting together with family or friends:

Private meetings and gatherings with family or friends remain prohibited, whether indoors or outdoors.

Bars and restaurants remain closed:

if all shops reopen on Saturday, bars and restaurants will remain closed at least until January 20 (third stage of deconfinement).

"It is difficult but it is necessary because these establishments remain places of high viral contamination", justified the Prime Minister, Jean Castex.

Sports halls still inaccessible:

Sports halls will also have to wait for the third phase of deconfinement, which will begin at best on January 20.

It is from this date only, that these activities can resume, provided that the health objectives are met.

Museums, cinemas, theaters still pending:

unlike bookstores, cultural shops, libraries and archives, museums, cinemas and theaters will not be able to reopen before December 15 (second stage of the alleviation of confinement ).

The health protocol put in place before the re-containment must again be respected, with groups of up to six people, wearing a mask throughout the duration of the session or show, and respecting barrier gestures.

Going back to high school or university every day:

high schools and universities will not currently be able to accommodate all their pupils and students on a daily basis.

High schools can be "fully open, with all students" from January 20, said Emmanuel Macron.

It will take two more weeks for the universities to be able, in turn, to welcome the students.