Alarm in Paris: towards closed bars and restaurants. Infections are rampant, waiting for the government’s decision

Paris – Worsening day by day i data of the epidemic in Paris and above all the three criteria that make an already ‘red’ area like that of the capital slide towards the ‘maximum alert’ category.

Health Minister Olivier Véran, in a press conference from the Parisian hospital of Bichat, spoke of a “very worrying” situation due to the spread of infections, for the incidence of these in the most vulnerable population group (over 65) and for the percentage now over 30% of intensive care beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. The government had leaked from this morning its intention not to degrade Paris to an ‘ultra-red’ zone today, given that, as Véran repeated, “the alarm thresholds have been exceeded in recent days”. “We want to wait for this trend to consolidate – he explained – then already on Sunday, with Mayor Anne Hidalgo, we will take stock”.

If the worsening continues, the capital will run out from Monday, for 2 weeks, in the Marseille and Aix-en-Provence group, the one that provides for the total closure of bars and restaurants as well as the ban on gyms, outdoor and indoor parties, rallies, meetings and small gatherings. A ban that the capital wants to avoid at all costs the very high price paid with the lockdown from commercial establishments but which risks being almost inevitable. Véran strongly insisted on the fact that in addition to the closure of public places, it is essential that the inhabitants of the areas in “maximum alert” refrain from private parties or family gatherings, “one of the situations in which the defenses are lowered more and infections increase” .

Unlike Paris – which of the areas has become more worrying it is accompanied by Lille, Grenoble, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse – a beginning of “timid improvement” is observed in Bordeaux, Nice and Marseille, Véran acknowledged. The minister remained very cautious, speaking of “signs of hope to be taken as encouragement” to continue efforts. But he did not miss the opportunity to remember that in these cities that are now raising their heads, stricter health regulations have been in force for some days, which have often aroused the discontent of mayors and the population, as well as protests. Véran said he was “not worried” for outbreaks in schools, since they are all under control and that all studies confirm the low contagiousness of children. But he then launched a heartfelt appeal to young people: “Don’t be silly when you come home. Don’t invite 20 friends to have fun. I am convinced that young people know that there is a risk for the people they care about. Youth must give proof of exemplary solidarity “.

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