Sun, summer temperatures, eve of the Ascension weekend ... The opportunity was too good for Parisians who wanted to take advantage of the good weather ... and the thick grass lawns of the esplanade des Invalides (7th), to share a drink, a picnic ... Problem, there were several hundred who had the same idea. Not really to the taste of the authorities ...
“It was only the sunny lawns that were occupied. Given the number of people, the physical distance measures were not respected between the groups and within the groups, "explains the night commissioner of the Directorate of Public Order and Traffic (DOPC).
At around 9 p.m., 25 agents asked the groups to better distribute themselves across the lawns of the esplanade, even if that meant being in the shade.
"We agreed to move to be less attached to other groups"
The police took the opportunity to remind throughout the evening of the importance of barrier gestures and respect for physical distance. All in peace. "People are understanding," says an agent.
“We met with friends for a picnic. We didn't realize that there were so many people because we arrived early, around 6 p.m. But we agreed to move to be less attached to other groups, ”says Anaïs.
“We are happy because we have not been evacuated. Suddenly, we will continue to enjoy the evening ... being one meter from each other, "says Amine.
Parisians looking for space
After nearly two months of confinement, Parisians are looking for space. They should choose Normandy or Ile-de-France, especially the Yvelines, to find a little escape this weekend.
The mayor (PS) of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, for his part called for the reopening of parks and gardens in the capital. A request refused by the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran.
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On the first evening of the deconfinement, on May 11, many Parisians had gathered along the Canal Saint-Martin (Xe) and had been quickly evacuated by the police.
VIDEO. Deconfinement in Paris: the Canal Saint-Martin evacuated by the police