In Germany, the Alsace border region has reconfigured itself in the face of the rebound in contaminations, while French businesses have recently reopened.

In between, the coronavirus crisis prevents crossing the Rhine to enjoy the benefits of the other country during the holiday season.

REPORTAGE

A few weeks after France, Germany continues to suffer the full brunt of the second wave of Covid-19: the country partially reconfigured itself last week, with the closure of schools and non-essential businesses.

Since Wednesday, the Land (region) of Baden-Württemberg, on the border with Alsace, has tightened its restrictions in the face of the virus.

From now on, the French border no longer have the right to come to do their shopping in Germany, a habit for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Alcohol, "40% cheaper"

This is how Lucie and Steven do their Christmas shopping by default in this Strasbourg supermarket.

They had planned to go, as usual, to Germany: "It's clearly cheaper than in France," says Steven.

"The goal was to buy alcohol. The bottle of Jägermeister (a very sweet herbal liqueur, note) is sold for 20 euros in France and only 11 euros in Germany. We travel two or three kilometers more and we pay 40% less for alcohol. "

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Exceptionally, we must therefore deal with French prices at Christmas time: "I had fun with a hot quail pâté with foie gras, salmon ... I just paid 130 euros and I would certainly have saved less 30 or 35 euros in Germany ", regrets Lucie.

No crémant for the Germans

Since Wednesday, it is no longer possible to cross the Rhine to go shopping.

A real motive, family or professional, is necessary.

The situation is the same for the Germans and, on the other side of the border, in Kehl, Barbara had to give up shopping for Christmas in France: "I like going to Strasbourg. You can buy certain things that 'you don't find here, like crémant, shrimps or oysters,' she explains.

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On the French side, those who do not respect these new measures may be subject to a ten-day quarantine, which could spoil this festive period.

Germany has not yet clarified whether violators also risked a fine.