To put an end to the uproar that was spreading about the issue, the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes issued a communiquรฉ that clearly summarizes the situation and its progression in the coming days.
In brief, mayors could request a derogation from the Prefect to the legal provisions that maintain the closure, by presenting a file that must necessarily guarantee compliance with barrier gestures and physical distancing. To date, 16 files have been submitted.
A specific working group has been set up โ the communiquรฉ reports โ for โthe drafting of a framework document that will set out the main modalities for the reopening and operation of beaches and nautical activities.โ
โThe structuring work has therefore begun and will continue with the examination in the coming days of the submitted files; derogation decisions could, if the files are validated after on-site verification, be made by the end of the week,โ the Prefecture specifies.
Beach establishments still closed
However, access to the beaches will be limited to access to the sea and only “dynamic” presence will be allowed to enable activities like swimming, walking, or jogging.
For commercial operators, the time has not yet come to set up sun loungers and umbrellas, let alone open bars and restaurants.
But they can start to organize themselves, the waiting time will not be too long (at the latest, the start will be early June).
Unfortunately, they will be penalized by the restriction measures (number of people admitted) they expected to offset with the extension of their usable space encroaching on the public area, a request to which the town hall had unofficially responded positively.
But, but… left-wing opposition groups (VIVA!, Nice au Coeur) protested against this expropriation of the public beach. An online petition reportedly signed by nearly 900 people (according to Patrick Allemand, Nice au coeur).
Final result? As in an election period, it is better to avoid any clashes with voters, the proposal quickly returned to the starting point, much to the dismay of beach operators who lose an important source of revenue.
For them, this season will be memorable in the “bad” sense of the word.
However, it is good to save the essentials… because as long as there is life, there is hope.