Jean-Luc Boujon, edited by Solène Delinger 3:31 p.m., December 28, 2021

Faced with the meteoric spread of the Omicron variant, Prime Minister Jean Castex yesterday announced a series of new measures.

Among them: the ban on drinking and eating in transport.

A rule that is difficult to apply, especially for long journeys.

Jean-Baptistes Djebbari, Minister of Transport, affirms that it will apply with "pragmatism". 

A measure that arouses incomprehension.

Prime Minister Jean Castex announced yesterday that the consumption of food and drink would be prohibited in transport, including long distance, from January 3.

Traveling near Megève, in Haute-Savoie, Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari assured travelers that this new rule would apply with "pragmatism". 

Closed bar wagons

The minister gave concrete details on how the returns of holidaymakers will unfold on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the consequences of yesterday's decisions: the dining cars will now be closed.

So, no more small coffee or warmed meals to enjoy on the train, and you will have to remain seated in your place at all times, with the mask on.

Demonstrate "discernment"

Eating and drinking will still be possible, as long as it doesn't last for hours.

The staff will be "understanding" and "pragmatic," assured Jean-Baptiste Djebbari.

“Very concretely, over the very long distance, the bar wagons will be closed,” he recalled.

"We are obviously going to be very pragmatic and show good judgment on the subject. It would not be normal, for example, to prohibit people from drinking or a mother from giving food to her child" underlined the Minister of Transport. 

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Mask compulsory for children 6 to 11 years old

According to him, the application of this rule will be first of all common sense.

"As we say in the jargon, we are going to 'operationalize' these measures," promises Jean-Baptiste Djebbari.

These new rules are therefore still being drafted.

Another novelty in transport: the mask will become compulsory for children aged 6 to 11, like what is already done in schools.

This measure will not be effective until next Monday, so it will not apply this weekend.

Rather, think about it for the February holidays.

Finally, with regard to airplanes, especially long-haul, the rules do not change the mandatory mask throughout the flight, except for the times, the very specific times of restoration.

In this area, there is therefore no hardening.