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The Paris metropolitan area is one of 16 French regions that have been locked for at least a month on Saturday. The new restrictions are designed to limit trips outside the home, except for work or essential activities. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look at the new lockdown rules.
The new partial lockdown seeks to stem the spread of Covid-19 while limiting economic costs, making the restrictions very different from France’s two lockdowns last year.
Unlike previous lockdowns, only 16 regions – including the Paris metropolitan area – are partially blocked.
In these 16 wards, new extensive measures will be taken from midnight Friday evening and during 4 weeks to curb the epidemic.
We choose a third way, a way to brake without getting stuck. pic.twitter.com/AkzukWf5O9– Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) March 18, 2021
The government announced on Saturday that it would not be necessary for residents of the 16 affected regions to receive a certificate form (as it was in previous lockdowns) if they go out within 10 miles of their home. They only need to have proof of address with them.
For every trip of more than 10 kilometers, an official certificate form is still required. Home Office forms are available in English here.
“The certificate and justification of the reason for the trip remain required for journeys of more than 10 kilometers (either within the department or for interregional journeys),” the government said in a statement.
A curfew starts at 7:00 PM (it used to be 6:00 PM) and ends at 6:00 AM. A declaration form is also currently required for any journey during curfew.
Interregional travel will be banned from Saturday, except for “compelling or professional reasons,” according to the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Failure to comply with the rules will result in a 135 fine.
Schools remain open, working from home is encouraged
Primary schools and for at least a month colleges (11-15 years) will remain open, but secondary schools (16-18 years) are switching back to a hybrid half-home, half-school schedule.
On the other hand, outdoor sports and extracurricular schedules will run normally and parks will remain open.
>> Read more about France’s doctrinal position on open schools
Adults are advised to work from home as much as possible.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that guidelines for businesses and administrations to implement “work from home” measures “at least four days” a week are far from being followed.
A Pasteur Institute study published earlier this month found that workplace contamination accounted for 15 percent of identified cases of Covid-19.
What is an ‘essential’ shopping spree?
Under the new restrictions, about 90,000 businesses will not be able to open, including about 25,000 businesses that have already closed in malls across the country, according to a government statement.
Stores selling non-essential goods and services, including department stores, will be closed.
The essential store list includes pharmacies, grocery stores, bookstores, hairdressers, shoe repair shops, florists, chocolate shops, auto dealers, and music stores.