Covid-19: these departments where bars will close prematurely for the New Year – LCI

“More than a million French people are currently positive for the coronavirus” and “10% of the French population is in contact “, announced with a serious tone Olivier Véran before the law commission of the National Assembly on Wednesday. Spurred on by a much more contagious Omicron variant – although possibly less lethal – France is facing a “tidal wave” epidemic, according to the Minister of Health. Bad news a few days before Christmas Eve of December 31st traditionally conducive to gatherings, and therefore to potential contamination.

In an attempt to avoid the multiplication of clusters, many prefectures have, at the instigation of the government, introduced restrictions. Thus, bars will close their doors early in about fifteen French departments.

First of all, it is a closure at 2 a.m. on January 1, which was envisaged by the authorities. Are concerned the establishments of Paris, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne and Seine-et-Marne. Same thing for those of the Saône-et-Loire, Alpes-Maritimes, Calvados, Charente-Maritime, Landes and Indre-et-Loire. The prefects of Var and Finistere went even further with a scheduled closure at 1 a.m., the most stringent measure at present. Finally, the bars of Haut-Rhin and Côtes-d’Armor They will be able to open until 3 a.m. Note that, theoretically, only a limited number of them can legally remain open after 2 hours. For this, a derogation is, in fact, necessary.

In some cases, this measure is accompanied by bans on dancing in establishments open to the public and on buying or consuming alcohol on the public road for this New Year’s weekend. Public gatherings can also be occasionally. prohibited. In addition, many prefects have restored the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors. Through this battery of restrictions, the authorities aim to shorten, as much as possible, the evening of New Year’s revelers to ensure, in particular, the maintenance of barrier gestures.

According to the latest report from Public Health France, 208,099 new cases of Covid-19 were detected in France on Wednesday. In addition, 3,469 people are currently hospitalized with the virus in intensive care units in France.