Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health, has presented a new map of the country with five levels of monitoring, including three alert levels: “alert,” “reinforced alert,” and “maximum alert.” In the “reinforced alert” phase, the city of Nice must have its bars and restaurants close by 10 PM.
However, the mayor of Nice disagrees and asks the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes not to enforce the 10 PM closure on bars and restaurants. He plans to present a protocol similar to that of theaters and cinemas.
The mayor is waiting to see (another “sensitive” point for him) if the Health Minister’s stated intention of letting the “mayor-prefect duo” decide will still hold true.
“We’re closing bars and restaurants, which are places where people can be monitored; it doesn’t seem coherent to me,” declared Christian Estrosi in a controversial tone. “I am requesting that the State extend the partial unemployment scheme for establishments affected by these measures.”
Except that these controls are only theoretical because café and restaurant owners understandably focus more on their revenues than on the health of their customers.
Regarding mandatory mask-wearing, Nice was a pioneer among major cities. Christian Estrosi issued an order very early in August. However, this measure is difficult to enforce. The mayor of Nice asserts that in his city, 1,200 fines for not wearing a mask have been issued, which represents 15% of all fines recorded across France.
He also calls on the government for more police resources: a dedicated brigade will be responsible, initially, for educational efforts and, in a second phase, sanctions could include the withdrawal of certain labels and administrative closure with the support of the municipal police.
