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The Paris metropolitan area is one of 16 French regions that entered into a partial blockade on Saturday, which will last at least a month. The new restrictions seek to limit travel outside the home, except for work or essential activities. FRANCE 24 analyzes the new blocking rules.
The new partial blockade tries to contain the spread of Covid-19 while limiting economic costs, making restrictions very different from France’s two blocks last year.
Unlike the previous blockades, only 16 regions – including the Paris metropolitan area – were placed under a partial blockade.
In 16 departments, from new mesures of freinage massives de l’épidémie interviendront à compter de vendredi soir minuit, et pour 4 semaines.
It is a part of me that has no retentions, a part of me by freiner sansfermer. pic.twitter.com/AkzukWf5O9– Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) March 18, 2021
The government announced on Saturday that residents of the 16 affected regions would not be required to complete a attestation way (as it was in previous blocks) if they are leaving within a radius of 10 kilometers from their homes. They will only have to provide proof of address.
For any trip beyond 10 kilometers, an employee attestation the form will still be needed. Forms issued by the Ministry of the Interior are available in English here.
“The certificate and justification for the reason for the trip will continue to be required for trips of more than 10 kilometers (either within the department or for interregional trips),” the government said in a note.
The night curfew starts at 7pm (previously it was 6pm) and ends at 6am. A declaration form is also currently mandatory for any travel during curfew.
Interregional travel is prohibited as of Saturday, except for “mandatory or professional reasons”, according to the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Failure to comply with the rules will result in a €135 well.
Schools remain open, work at home is encouraged
For at least a month, primary schools and faculties (ages 11-15) will remain open normally, but secondary schools (ages 16-18) will return to a hybrid schedule half at home, half at school.
On the other hand, outdoor sports and extracurricular programs will operate normally and the 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 companies and administrations to establish work at home measures for “at least four days” a week “are still far” to be followed.
A study by the Pasteur Institute published earlier this month showed that contamination at work was responsible for 15 percent of Covid-19’s identified cases.
What is an “essential” shopping spree?
Under the new restrictions, some 90,000 companies will not be able to open, including about 25,000 companies already closed in shopping centers across the country, according to a government statement.
Stores that sell non-essential products and services, including department stores, will be closed.
The list of essential stores includes pharmacies, supermarkets, bookstores, hairdressers, shoe shops, florists, chocolate shops, car dealerships and music stores.