Nice (AFP)

"I have to pay my employees, support my family ...", protests the restaurateur Christophe Wilson who has decided to open his establishment in Nice exceptionally on Wednesday despite the ban introduced several months ago to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic.

"There has to be someone who gives the momentum to everyone, and if it must be me who has to take the risks, I assume them", launches Christophe Wilson bravado on the covered terrace of his busy restaurant by a hundred customers.

Located in the center of Nice, the "Poppies" had been closed since October 30 as part of the health measures taken by the government to fight against Covid-19 which has killed more than 74,106 in France.

"I hope that everyone will follow suit and that the entire population of our country will resume the course of their normal life", pleads the 50-year-old restaurateur who has not, however, planned to reopen his establishment in the coming days .

“When I see Carrefour or Prima or all these multinationals where hundreds of people congregate, I can no longer accept that. I have to pay my employees, support my family and receive my clients,” claims this manager.

The police, who were present near the establishment, as well as many media, did not intervene to verbalize customers seated without masks, under the awnings of the terrace.

The restaurateur welcomes the "indulgence" of the police who did not impose a fine, even if he is summoned "to the central police station".

Customers, many of whom are local figures of the "yellow vests" movement, noted an AFP journalist, had the choice between a Nice dish par excellence, gnocchi and stew, or a vegetarian dish based on of red lentils.

An initiative that contrasts with the position of the LR mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi.

On Wednesday the latter announced that he had taken a decree banning seasonal rentals in his city from February 6 to 20, in order to avoid a new outbreak of Covid-19 cases.

© 2021 AFP