"The eight mayors of the island of Oléron have signed their decree, we are keeping them under the elbow for the moment", warns Pascal Massicot, the mayor of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains and president of the Community of communes. As the Easter holidays begin in zone C, the elected officials of Oléron say they are ready to take action in the event of the arrival of a new wave of tourists and owners of holiday homes in the midst of confinement due to coronavirus. They have all drawn up municipal decrees banning tourist rentals and stays in second homes, even though restaurants and hotels are still closed.
"More and more testimonials from professionals in the maintenance of green spaces, buildings or tourism indicate that a new influx of secondary residents and even some tourists in furnished rentals were starting to arrive in the territory", assures Pascal Paper cutter. According to the elected official, this perspective "accentuates the fear of the whole population, 40% of whom are over 60 years old".
The gendarmes "day and night" on the viaduct
Nicolas Basselier, the prefect of Charente-Maritime, called on Friday April 3 the tourist accommodation rental platforms "civic-minded" and asked them "that no seasonal rental takes place", except for professional reasons. On the island, where second homes represent 60% of the housing stock, "the market gardeners can no longer supply," even adds Pascal Massicot, without wanting to give an estimate of the increase in the island population since the start of the confinement.
"At Dolus-d'Oléron, we are already experiencing tensions over certain drugs and food products," confirms Mayor Grégory Gendre. The gendarmerie also decided to strengthen its presence “night and day” on the viaduct, the only access route to the island of Oléron. “All vehicles without exception have been checked since this Friday morning. With the holidays, the temptation is great to take advantage of this privileged environment. But all adults in the same vehicle in violation will be fined and must turn around, ”warns Ludovic Burette, the commander of the Rochefort company.
Pascal Massicot, the mayor of Saint-Trojan who refers to "the state of health emergency" to justify his decree, already denounces "unacceptable and criminal behavior".
