Placed in a reinforced alert zone for almost a week now, the Alpes-Maritimes department must face new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Bernard Gonzalez has therefore revisited these announcements to explain his choices and show support for the affected professionals.
While most of the measures mentioned yesterday by the Prefect had already been implemented, some of them will severely impact different sectors of activity. These decisions are not easy to make, but necessary because, “we must do everything to return to normal life as soon as possible and try to avoid the worst,” warned the Prefect. “We had already implemented three-quarters of the measures that are required in other departments. This allowed us to reduce the incidence and positivity rates. We must continue knowing that it is encouraging, but nonetheless, we must now absorb this wave of hospitalizations.”
Bernard Gonzalez also paid attention to the professionals affected by the new measures, such as bartenders and gym owners: “I am aware of the economic and psychological impact on business leaders, these men and women who work hard to earn their living.”
To support the most impacted sectors of activity, the Prefect will attend several CODEFI (Departmental Committee for Examining Business Financing Problems) meetings within the week, aiming to implement industrial, social, and financial measures to ensure business recovery, job retention, and contribution to economic development. “We will have a special tourism CODEFI where we will, with professionals and all the State services, first outline the plan that Minister Le Maire presented on Friday with partial unemployment and financial support measures. Another meeting will also take place for gym operators who will face difficulties. We will closely monitor these professionals.”
Christian Estrosi denounces inconsistencies
The mayor of Nice, in a statement, regretted that the State did not adhere to the alternative solution proposed. “It is undeniable that the virus circulates actively at a worrying level across the national territory, especially with an alarming incidence rate among those over 65. We are pleased that the activity of restaurateurs, who have shown exemplary conduct during the crisis, is not being challenged. However, we note, despite the reinforced health protocol proposed by the City of Nice to maintain certain activities, it has been rejected by State services, and we regret it. Here I denounce, in the face of a fight that must be continuous and delivered with justice and fairness, decisions that will deprive certain activities perfectly organized on a health level, even as others without the same level of requirement are authorized. I denounce this inconsistency, this situation of disorder in which no one can keep up. For example, swimming pools allowed to open even though collective changing rooms are banned, gatherings limited to 10 people in public spaces while events are allowed up to 1,000 people, the closure of bars at 10 PM while other venues allowed to generate crowds… It is essential that the government provides clarity and transparency. The recent announcement by the government spokesman to publish daily indicators tracking the coronavirus epidemic aligns with what the population expects.”
