Covid: ban on eating in transport “will be applied with discernment” – The HuffPost

Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Monday evening 27 that, to fight against the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the consumption of food and drink would be “prohibited in all cinemas, theaters, sports facilities and public transport, including long distance ”.

Exceptions for young children and to quench their thirst

This declaration did not fail to raise questions, especially for long train trips, even if it has been praised on social networks by travelers exasperated to see their neighbors taking hours to eat a few crisps, so as not to put on their masks.

“On long-distance journeys, this measure will be applied with discernment”, a spokesperson for the ministry told AFP, specifying that there would be exceptions, particularly for young children and to allow them to quench their thirst ”.

SNCF has indicated that it will apply all the measures decided by the government, but that management was waiting to learn more to announce concrete measures.

TGV bars, in particular, were closed from March 16 to July 4, 2020, then from November 2, 2020 to June 9.

Domestic flights concerned

On the aircraft side, the ban will apply to domestic flights, according to the Ministry of Transport. Air France for its part indicated “wait at this stage for the publication of the ministerial decree and its directives in order to see what changes to make to the organization of the service offered on board”.

The company had already suspended food and beverage services on board for air links in mainland France and to Corsica at the start of the health crisis.

“Any health measure that will be included in the texts will be likely to be controlled”, soberly indicated the Ministry of Transport.

The public transport operator Keolis (SNCF group), which operates in particular the subways and trams of Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux and Rennes, is considering poster campaigns and audio announcements, according to a spokesperson.