Mélina Facchin, edited by Gauthier Delomez 7:27 p.m., November 20, 2021

The sign that the Christmas season is really starting!

The first in a long series of Christmas markets in the Grand-Est opened on Saturday in Obernai, south of Strasbourg.

Chalets, garlands, mulled wines are back to the delight of exhibitors and customers, but under the watchful eyes of the authorities in the face of the resurgence of the epidemic.

REPORTING

We are busy with the final preparations.

In Obernai, about thirty kilometers south of Strasbourg in the Bas-Rhin, the Christmas market season started on Saturday, in the center of the town.

The exhibitors are in the starting blocks amid chalets, garlands and bottles of mulled wine.

Even if the Covid-19 is never far away, with figures which are rising sharply, especially in the Haut-Rhin.

>> Listen to Europe Soir in podcast or replay here

"We're back at last!" Exclaims an exhibitor

Anna and Cédric are in working order in their chalet "Soup bar" at the Christmas market.

They peel carrots, onions, and prepare to find their customers, a year after the 2020 edition canceled because of the health crisis.

"Finally we come back! We were in a hurry, it was to put the table back, redo our little decorations, see happy people again, the illuminations, the mulled wine, the atmosphere, the customers ... We are at the top ! ", enthusiastically the two exhibitors on Europe 1.

But the Covid-19 is still in people's minds.

The incidence rate in the Bas-Rhin has more than doubled in two weeks, reaching 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This is why the mask will be compulsory on all the market of the municipality.

The sanitary pass is also required to enter the area where you can eat and drink.

A health protocol that can evolve

The mayor of Obernai Bernard Fischer promises to be extremely vigilant in the coming weeks.

"The protocol can change from day to day and week to week," he says.

"We are at the start of a fifth wave. If there were negative developments, we will take action and we pray to heaven that this is not the case. We exclude nothing, no choice," sighs the mayor.

Nothing, this means that in the worst case, a market closure before the scheduled date of January 2 can be considered.