Deconfinement, phase 2: restaurants and bars will reopen, but only the terraces in Ile-de-France

After several months of total cessation of activity for thousands of cafes, hotels and restaurants, the recovery is underway. This Thursday, during his announcements on the second part of the deconfinement, that is after June 2, the Prime Minister unveiled the measures concerning this disaster area since the beginning of the Covid-19 epidemic.

The announcement had already filtered earlier this Thursday: a distinction will be made for cafes and restaurants, according to the departments. Those placed in the green zone - that is to say the vast majority of the territory, only Ile-de-France, Guyana and Mayotte being considered as orange - will be able to reopen fully from June 2 and no longer only for selling take-out food and drinks, as is currently the case in some stores.

While those installed in the orange departments (red has disappeared from the official map, due to the slowdown of the epidemic) will still have to wait for a total reopening, but may nevertheless make their terraces accessible to customers, if they have them .

"In the Orange departments, only the terraces of cafes, terraces, bars and restaurants will be able to reopen on June 2," asked the Prime Minister. Full reopening can only be envisaged during phase 3 of the deconfinement.

A strict health protocol

Regarding restaurants, "people who have chosen to dine together will be able to sit at the same table within the limit of 10 people," said Edouard Philippe, and a "distance of one meter between each table" must be respected. Wearing a mask will be mandatory for staff and for customers when they are moving inside the establishment.

As for bars, vigilance will be increased. "Standing consumption indoors" will be prohibited, the Prime Minister said.

Masks, distribution of gel, marking on the ground, direction of traffic, or even privileged reservations, all must follow a "deconfinement protocol" or "code of good sanitary conduct", containing numerous sanitary measures and negotiated by professionals in the sector at the dawn of these announcements. "Liberty will again become the rule and prohibition the exception," said the Prime Minister, but under many conditions.

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Because they drain too many people, in a confined space, the nightclubs will remain closed, said Edouard Philippe.

As for tourist accommodation, "they will be able to reopen on June 2, during the 3rd phase of deconfinement for the others" in the orange zone, he developed.