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The metropolitan area in Paris is one of the 16 French regions that had a partial exclusion lasting at least a month on Saturday. The new restrictions seek to restrict travel outside the home, except for work or essential activities. FRANCE 24 looks at the new closing rules.
The new partial exclusion seeks to stem the spread of Covid-19 while limiting economic costs, making the restrictions very different from France’s two exclusions last year.
Unlike previous closures, only 16 regions – including the metropolitan area of Paris – were partially closed.
In these 16 departments, massive mass release measures from the epidemic will take place this Friday evening, and for 4 weeks.
It’s a third way we’re holding back, a way that should allow freiner to be free. pic.twitter.com/AkzukWf5O9– Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) 18 March 2021
The government announced on Saturday that it would not be necessary for residents of the 16 regions affected by a attestation form (as in previous locks) if they exit within a radius of ten kilometers from their homes. They will simply be required to provide proof of address.
For any trip beyond 10 kilometers, an official attestation form will still be needed. Forms issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs are available here in English.
“The certificate and justification of the reason for the trip will still be required for journeys of more than 10 kilometers (within the department or for intra-regional journeys),” the government said in a statement.
A night clock starts at 19:00 (it used to be 18:00) and ends at 06:00. A declaration form is currently also mandatory for any trip during the evening clock.
Travel between regions will be banned from Saturday, except for “essential or professional reasons”, according to the Interior Ministry’s website.
Failure to comply with the rules will result in a €135 fine.
Schools remain open, homework encouraged
For at least a month, primary schools and colleagues (ages 11-15) will normally remain open, but high schools (ages 16-18) will switch to a hybrid half-home-half-on-school schedule.
On the other hand, outdoor sports and outdoor schedules will run normally, and parks will remain open.
>> Read more about France’s doctrine on public schools
Adults are advised to work from home as much as possible.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that the guidelines for companies and administrations to implement measures for “at least four days” a week “from home” had not been followed for a long time.
A study by the Pasteur Institute published earlier this month found that infection at work accounts for 15 percent of the identified cases of Covid-19.
What is an ‘essential’ shopping trip?
Under the new restrictions, about 90,000 businesses will not be able to open, including about 25,000 businesses that have already closed in shopping malls across the country, according to a government statement.
Stores selling non-essential goods and services, including department stores, will be closed.
The list of essential stores includes pharmacies, supermarkets, bookstores, hairdressers, shoe repairs, florists, chocolate shops, car dealerships and music stores.