In the main shopping avenues of Brest (Finistère) up to its busy commercial port, for some time now we have noticed an almost systematic wearing of a mask. “It's true that everyone has relaxed, everywhere, to deconfinement, slips Sarah, 22 years old. I made the choice to put it back as often as possible, even outside. Not because I'm afraid, but I think of frail or elderly people, whether they are close to me or not ... "
Brittany, during and after leaving confinement, was the department least affected by the coronavirus epidemic. However, in Finistère, these last two weeks, the tendency starts to be reversed; a few days ago, the reproduction rate of the virus was 3.1 there, against 1.2 at the national level and eight clusters appeared there, according to the regional health agency (ARS). This upsurge in the number of positive cases worries the inhabitants, but also the tourists, who came in number this year, in the four Breton departments.
"We're hallucinating a bit"
“We've never seen that,” note elected officials, traders, restaurateurs and managers of tourist offices in Finistère. Our coasts are generally less affected by mass tourism, but this year, we are hallucinating a bit! It's great for our local economy, but we all need to be vigilant. "
“Holidaymakers from other regions saw that we were less affected, and a lot of the media made quite a publicity on our coast, so they came in droves… And we understand them! », Yann, 35, says with a smile. Other locals, like Jacques, 56, do not share this opinion. “Frankly, here we are at the end of the earth (Editor's note: the Breton name for Finistère is“ Penn ar Bed ”, literally meaning“ the end of the earth ”) . We made the choice not to go on vacation, also to respect others… And there, we can't even enjoy our beaches! And even our bars are now closed at 1 am on a prefectural decree! "
Julie, a 43-year-old Morlaisienne, who wanted to take advantage of the south of the department, also fell in the clouds: “I wanted to quietly rent a small studio or a bungalow, but it's a waste of time. For weeks, everything has been full! There are only a few rentals in starred hotels and campsites that cost an arm and a leg… great! "In Douarnenez, Louise, 30, cannot believe it either:" I have lived here since I was born and I have never seen so many people. I should have planned a vacation elsewhere. "
"It's everyone's fault"
So many words that ended last Tuesday by annoying the prefect of the region, Michèle Kirry. "The increase in the number of positive cases is not due to people who come from outside Brittany. The latter refers in particular to" gatherings of young people "and two family celebrations" to more than 200 people "which could explain the situation, currently not very alarming in terms of hospitalizations.
“We must remain logical, notes a Brestoise. There has inevitably been a general relaxation. It's everyone's fault, locals and tourists alike! We're not going to start throwing stones at each other, that would be stupid. “For now, the number of new cases seems to be slowing down in Finistère, while in Ille-et-Vilaine, the number has only grown for three days.
