Many learned about it through a smartphone alert, right in the middle of service. Just after midnight on Saturday, there was shock in downtown Nice following the announcement of the closure of non-essential businesses. At the Palace of Justice square, in the alleys of Old Nice, Garibaldi square, Pin square, everywhere people were reeling. Headaches over still-filled cold rooms, technical unemployment, anxiety over economic consequences. And night owls finding the doors of their favorite establishments closed. Immediate reactions from where the last pints of beer and last meals were served, until further notice.
LES DISTILLERIES IDEALES 24, rue de la Préfecture
Christophe, waiter
“I found out about the ban on TV. It’s tough, especially for restaurants: I think about the stocks. Sure, we have stocks we can keep. But it just came without warning. And I find that excessive. Even though I am aware that there have already been deaths! We’re in a bit of a gray area for now, we think we’ll be on technical unemployment. However, we haven’t received anything from the Prefecture or any other institution, not even an email. Even the bosses weren’t aware. We feel a bit downhearted… People wanted to go out, so we worked well tonight. It’s such a shame to stay idle for a few weeks.”
ideal distilleries closed
LE CHIK’S BAR 2, rue Rossetti
Cédric, waiter
“Tomorrow was supposed to be my last working day in this establishment. I learned about the ban from a customer I was serving. Then from another who confirmed the information.
Then the boss called and told us we would have to close, which we did at midnight. After a visit from the police around a quarter to midnight. The police just came to remind us that the doors should be closed by midnight. They couldn’t show us any documents, but we understand it’s a public health issue. Such a sudden ban is still strange. We wonder about the future.
Apparently, measures will be implemented to safeguard our jobs.”
Cédric, tomorrow was supposed to be his last day. He won’t be able to open
LA CAVE PAPA / CHEZ PAPA Place du Pin
DISCOTHEQUE AU SON DES GUITARES 36, rue de France
Franck, manager
“We learned about the ban on TV at 7:30 PM. I find it very clumsy. Because we work a lot on weekends and we brought in plenty of fresh goods. What to do with them now? They could have waited until Monday, especially since the elections are still going ahead tomorrow (Sunday, Ed.). To know ‘how to close’: No email, no contact with the Prefecture or the police.
The nightclub already had an opening for 100 people. We closed before even starting the evening.
It’s a disaster. Especially for my 24 employees. And the nightclub’s security agents. They find themselves without jobs.”
Chez papa: Frank the boss in the middle and some employees ended up jobless tonight
The police came by to inform certain establishments
