In the preamble to the launch of the new “Booster Commerces Nice Côte d’Azur” initiative, the mayor of Nice once again expressed before business leaders his incomprehension regarding the implementation of certain measures by the government as part of the fight against COVID-19.
Christian Estrosi has still not come to terms with the implementation of the closure of gyms and bars, which are required to close at 10 p.m. These measures, which will last at least until October 12, plunge once again sectors that are already suffering greatly into an increasingly critical situation. “We had a summer that, in a number of fields, brought a little comfort […] but all of this is falling apart,” lamented the president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.
He also admits having difficulty understanding some measures taken by the government and even warns about the possibility of new measures being introduced in the coming days: “We are not immune to new decisions. When you see those that are taken in other regions like Île-de-France, even if for now we are not, and I am pleased about this, identified as among the four or five Metropolises where warning signs are raised.”
“They are picking on activities that are generally well-managed, but it bothers no one to show images of the RER B in Paris at 7 a.m., some large stores on the Champs-Élysées, on Avenue Jean Médecin in Nice, or on the Canebière in Marseille where things are out of control,” the mayor regrets, highlighting the increasing misunderstanding among citizens about the situation and a lack of consultation with state services in recent weeks.
He also reiterated his opposition to the ferry or airport passengers disembarking in Nice without checks. “At the same time, we ask the people of Nice who live among themselves to stay in a bar until 10 p.m. There was a time when we discussed these things jointly, but that has changed now.”
