The mayor of Nice, in the south of France, asked tourists to leave on Sunday, as the holiday destination faces a sharp increase in cases of COVID-19.
“We will be happy to receive many tourists this summer, once we win this battle, but it is better to have a period while saying ‘don’t come here, this is not the time’ ‘”, said Mayor Christian Estrosi in Rádio France Info.
He called on the government to impose tougher restrictions on the Mediterranean city, such as a weekend blockade, to deter tourists.
“We need strong measures that go beyond the national curfew at 6 pm, be it a more rigid curfew or a partial block and with specific hours. A weekend block would make sense, ”said Estrosi.
Nice battled the country’s highest infection rate, with 740 new cases per week per 100,000 residents, according to local data.
Estrosi said the influx of visitors who came during the holiday season contributed to the increase in cases.
“The weather is good, everyone is running to come here. A weekend blockade would put an end to this, without interrupting the city’s economic activity, ”said Estrosi.
Wired Poles