French restaurateurs have been forced to stay closed for several months due to the pandemic.
But on Friday, information came in that luxury restaurateurs in Paris are breaking the rules and arranging what they call private events at secret addresses.
In a report on the TV channel M6, a hidden camera was filmed inside one of these maple restaurants, and it turns out that several corona rules are broken.
Among other things, neither staff nor visitors wear mouth guards, which results in a fine of 135 euros (1,400 kronor).
It costs just as much to break the curfew that applies between 19 and 06.
Naming requirements
The maple restaurants are not something for the average person, the dinner menus cost between around SEK 1,600 and SEK 15,500 per person.
- I have had dinner at two or three restaurants this week which are just so-called maple restaurants, together with several ministers, says an anonymous person in the report.
The information has aroused anger in France and many demand that the ministers who have been found at the pay restaurants be named.
- If there are ministers or elected representatives who have broken the rules, they must be fined and punished like all other citizens, says Marlène Schiappa, Minister for Citizens' Affairs, to the radio channel Europe1.
Schiappa adds that if it turns out that ministers have gone to paid restaurants, they should also resign.
Investigating crime
Prosecutors in Paris have launched an investigation as the restaurateurs suspected of exposing others to danger, but also to undeclared work.
Those behind the maple restaurants risk one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros (equivalent to about 155,000 kronor).
From Easter Eve, the French are only allowed to travel ten kilometers from the home and there is a curfew between 19 and 06. Those who break the rules risk fines of between 135 and 3,750 euros (equivalent to 1,400 and 38,500 kronor).