For the majority of traders, the activity will be able to resume its course. During his statement to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Edouard Philippe clarified the contours of the deconfinement that will begin on May 11. Most businesses will be able to reopen, with a few exceptions. Le Figaro takes stock.
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Those who can reopen
All non-food businesses will in principle be able to welcome customers from May 11, regardless of their location in France. Requested, the Ministry of Economy has indeed indicated that the classification in "red" of certain departments, where the virus is still spreading too quickly, would not affect the opening of shops, but only that of " parks and gardens " Hairdressers, florists, clothing stores ... All will be able to resume their activity.
The opening of food markets, which was the exception during confinement, will also become the norm, unless there is a contraindication on the part of mayors, if they consider that the risks of overcrowding remain too great.
Shopping centers, which combine food and non-food businesses, will once again be able to welcome the public, on one condition. Their surface must be less than 40,000 square meters, said the Prime Minister during his speech on Tuesday. This concerns 724 of the 834 centers in France, which generate 60% of turnover. The government wishes to prevent these centers from attracting “ populations outside the living area ”. On the other hand, the prefects will have the possibility of maintaining a closed shopping center if they consider that respecting barrier gestures and social distancing are too complex to implement, said Bruno Le Maire this Wednesday morning.
Shops authorized to reopen their doors, on the other hand, must " comply with strict specifications ", insisted Edouard Philippe. They will have to limit the number of people present at the same time in the store, " organize the flows ", to enforce the rule of the minimum distance of one meter per person. The wearing of the mask, recommended for staff and customers, may be made compulsory by certain merchants if they wish.
Those who will remain closed
Bars, cafes and restaurants, on the other hand, will not be able to reopen on May 11, because their activity " does not initially limit the circulation of the virus, " said Édouard Philippe, before recognize that it is " a heartbreak and a considerable anxiety " for " all those who live from this activity ". The Prime Minister has set a second meeting on June 2, the date on which the date for the reopening of these signs will be scheduled.
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Cinemas, theaters, major museums and concert halls should also not expect to open their doors at the time of deconfinement. The same goes for sports halls: " it will not be possible, either to practice sport in covered places, or collective or contact sports ," said Edouard Philippe. This opening ban applies at least until the next assessment of the situation, scheduled for June 2.