" It's not too soon! Lying on a deckchair in the sun, Marine, 28, a textile designer, discusses with her friends Anne Hidalgo's decision to make it compulsory to wear a mask in open and frequented places. And Paris Plage is in the sights. "Frankly, if it can avoid a second confinement, I am for making this effort," she says. Moreover, she finds that this decision, a little late, should concern not only Paris, but all of France. "The state does nothing at the national level so the mayors are to the rescue", analyzes her friend.
The request, made this afternoon to the prefect of Paris, could take effect within 48 or 72 hours according to Anne Hidalgo. And this decision is far from unanimous. A little further on the banks of the Seine, Valcin, 17, plays cards with friends. Moment he does not want to share while wearing the mask. “With the heat wave that is coming, I find it really very restrictive. We wear it all the rest of the time in closed places. Why wear it outdoors? He wonders.
Rebecca, who accompanies him, tries to convince him of the opposite: "It is not for us, but for the more sensitive people, we are perhaps asymptomatic as young people", she tries. But he doesn't seem to want to hear it: “We respect social distance with strangers and then we know the people with whom we sit down, that's enough! "
"We waited a little too long"
Same story with Kevin, a high school teacher, who walks with his partner "If wearing a mask becomes compulsory on the banks of the Seine, I will go elsewhere where it will not be. We wear the mask all the time, these are the only places where we can breathe, ”he explains disappointed. “Besides, that is surely the objective: to dissuade people from meeting together to avoid the spread of the virus. "
Is Paris Plage going to be empty of its walkers? Martine, manager of a refreshment stall near the Louis-Philippe Bridge wonders: “It may discourage people from coming. But hey, it's the mayor, she does what she wants and we are going to comply with it, ”she sighs. Same observation from Maria, 42, who came to enjoy an outing with girlfriends, “It's a very good idea. Hope people will apply it. We waited a little too long, I think, there has been a certain relaxation on the part of the population, so I hope that will be enough to avoid a second wave. "
In Paris Plage, measures had already been taken to limit the risks of the virus spreading: distributions of gels at regular intervals, the spacing of beach furniture, and even a Covid-19 screening stand near the premises. “We will make the most of the summer,” Maria concludes optimistically, “but just by being more careful. "