Nearly a third of French people went into a month-long lockout on Saturday with many expressing fatness and frustration about the latest set of restrictions aimed at maintaining the spread of infectious viral coronation.
The government announced the new measures Thursday after a jump in Covid-19 cases in Paris and parts of northern France.
The new restrictions are not as severe as those in place during the spring and November 2020 lockouts, raising concerns that they may not be effective.
“It’s frustrating, tiring, it’s long. I hope it ends quickly, although I have questions about how effective the measures are,” said Kasia Gluc, 57, a graphic editor on track Champs Elysees in Paris.
Read | Pakistan PM Imran Khan, First Lady Bushra Bibi positive for Covid-19
The interior ministry said Friday night between Friday and Saturday that people could leave home as often as they wanted within 30 km (19 miles), as long as they complete proof.
Later on Saturday, the Castex office said the rules were simplified and no paper was needed during the day within a 10 km radius, just proof of address.
“We have to have a permit slip but compared to previous locks we are still a lot more cheap to go out. So are we locked? Yes and no,” said Antonin Le Marechal, 21.
Weather permitting, many Parisians traveled to the banks of the Seine for a walk, bike ride, or gathering with family and friends.
“As you can see, everyone is eating, removing the mask,” said 20-year-old student Rachel Chea. “It won’t change anything for me.”
The measures raised frustration among owners of an unnecessary store called closure.
Stores that are allowed to stay open include those that sell food, books, flowers and chocolates as well as wigs and cobblers, but not clothing, furniture and beauty shops, according to a published list. Friday night.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who said a total of 90,000 shops would have to close, defended the list of stores that could stay open, especially those that sold chocolates and flowers for just two weeks. before Easter.
Read | The European Union threatens AstraZeneca with an export ban
“I am not at all saying that this is perfectly appropriate, but each time it is done with a simple logic: to guarantee the health of the French people while maintaining economic activity and shopping as large as possible. can, “he told France Inter radio.
The government, which has avoided using the word lock down to describe the latest restrictions, argues that measures are needed to reduce pressure on nearby intensive care units. has been overflowing.
A large number of Parisians had left the city before the restrictions came into effect at midnight.