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After 55 days in severe quarantine, France today begins to lift some of its restrictions.
Stores, businesses, and some libraries may open, despite the danger that President Emmanuel Macron is far from over.
“It feels like a cosplay,” says Swede Niko Järvikari, 34, in Paris.
The country was closed on March 17, but at midnight, France began lifting some of the restrictions on residents.
President Emmanuel Macron announced that the country is entering a “new phase” in the fight against the crown virus, but also noted that it is not yet time for the French to relax.
Despite the closure, the virus has hit the country hard, with more than 26,000 deaths and more than 170,000 confirmed infected. That makes France the fifth most affected country in the world.
“The fight is not won. Thanks to you, the virus has receded. But it’s still there. Be careful, “was the message from Emmanuel Macron on Twitter.
Photo: PRIVATE
Solli Kanani, 38, hopes to buy flowers, among other things.
Maximum open air for one hour
Starting Monday, the population can move within ten miles of the house, without the need for a certificate.
Svenska Solli Kanani, 38, has lived in Paris since 2013 and works as a freelance and marketing photographer. It was isolated in early March after a trip.
– We only have to leave a maximum of one hour at a time and a maximum of one kilometer from home. I usually bike every morning and walk in Paris. The freedom to go where you want is gone, she says.
French regions are now divided into different zones, depending on how widespread the infection is and how heavy medical care is. In “red” areas, such as Paris, parks will remain closed, while those in “green” areas may remain open.
Photo: Thibault Camus / TT NEWS AGENCY
People who left their homes in Paris on Monday.
Mouthguard on public transport
Cafes, restaurants, theaters and concert halls will continue to be closed, while smaller museums and libraries may open, if they are able to meet the authorities’ requirements for, for example, distance. Clothing stores, hair salons and flower shops will also be open on Monday.
Public transportation in Paris is open to everyone, but those in rush hour traffic must have a certificate from their employer. People over the age of eleven must wear a mouth guard, otherwise you risk a fine of 135 euros.
– It feels great to go out. I’m going to the river Seine that I usually go to, and I hope I can finally buy flowers that I can have at home, says Solli Kanani.
Photo: PRIVATE
Swedish Sofie Sörman, 43, works as a singer in Paris.
“Science fiction movies”
About 85 percent of schools will open during the week, but this requires them to follow rules about, for example, social distance.
“There are strict rules, children cannot play with the same toys, and preschool schools can only open very few children,” says Swedish singer Sofie Sörman, 43, who has lived in Paris for 20 years.
The preschool her four-year-old daughter attends has been unable to open due to strict rules, and most of Sofie Sörman’s work as a singer has been canceled.
She describes that quarantine has greatly changed her Fontenay-sous-Bois suburb.
– It felt like a science fiction movie, in what was a cute little suburb, you started walking fast home and didn’t talk to anyone.
But not everything has been negative with the quarantine.
– It was nice that there were no cars, the air has not been so clean in Paris for many, many years, says Sofie Sörman.
Photo: PRIVATE
Niko Järvikari, 34, works as a hairdresser in France.
Niko, 34: mentally stressful
After 55 days of quarantine, it is clear that the restrictions have affected some more than others.
Swedish hairdresser Niko Järvikari 34 lost a family member shortly after closing and had to choose between staying in France or going to a funeral in Sweden, and at the risk of not being able to return.
– I chose to stay, and it still seemed like the right choice. I hope I can make a reminder in the future.
He describes the past two weeks of quarantine as difficult.
– You became very hard on the body and realized how important it is to move and meet friends and family. It greatly affects how you feel mentally.
On Sunday, 70 new deaths were reported in France, the lowest daily figure since the close of March 17.
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