Authorities in Paris have decided to completely shut it bars from Tuesday as the French government raises the city’s coronavirus alert to maximum after a sustained period of high infections. Meanwhile, on Monday, the further details of restrictions will be announced and will last for at least two weeks, the office of the country’s Prime Minister announced.
On Sunday, the health authorities in France reported 12,565 new confirmed cases of coronavirus. It comes after the city of Marseille closed its restaurants and bars last week. In France, the maximum alert level comes into force when the coronavirus infection rate exceeds 250 per 100,000 people.
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The Prime Minister officer further explained that the new measures aimed to curb the spread of coronavirus would apply in Paris and the nearby area. Moreover, the city’s restaurants can reopen, but they will have to put in place a new sanitary arrangement.
However, the Bistros and restaurants that serve alcohol and food can stay open, as long as they shut their doors by 10 PM and register contact details from the customers. The statement further added that work from home must be prioritized now more than ever.
Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister of France that closing the bars would be difficult for the people of the city while talking to a local news channel, he said that the French love drinking, eating, and having fun.
In the last week of September, Marseille, the second French city, closed its bars, gyms, and restaurants for at least two weeks. Many other public venues, including theater, cinemas, and museums, have also had to shut down unless they introduce strict social distancing measures.
But the local authorities in the city criticized the move, maintaining that they were not consulted before announcing the measures. In late August, the infection rate started to grow exponentially, and French health authorities have been struggling to contain it.
The government has also maintained that it does not want to impose another nationwide lockdown, but it will impose lockdown and restrictions in the cities and areas where the infection rate is rising.
