Anti-Covid measures in Comines: one city, two countries, two regulations

A small bridge over the Lys river separates Comines in France from Comines in Belgium.

But in terms of measures against the Covid-19 epidemic, the two municipalities are very far away, a thousand leagues from the so-called European harmonization.

“There is still one thing in common.

Here as there, nothing is clear at the level of decisions, it is a mess without name!

», Notes, hilariously, a border worker of French nationality.

“Even if there are differences in legislation, we must stand together,” insists Alice Leeuwerck, 30, mayor (mayor) at the helm of the Belgian Comines.

"The situation is distressing for everyone, nobody knows where we are going", summarizes Antoine, 38, a Frenchman who runs, with his Russian wife, Slava, a restaurant on the Belgian side.

Confined at least until April 19

From this Saturday, the Comines of the flat country is, like the whole of the kingdom, confined at least until April 19.

Schools are closed, hairdressers must lower the curtain, outdoor gatherings are limited to four people, non-essential businesses such as clothing stores are only open by appointment ...

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In the Comines of the Nord department, targeted for a week by new health restrictions, walks are no longer allowed beyond a radius of 10 km around the home and the curfew starts at 7 p.m.

"With us, the curfew is from midnight", specify two high school girls aged 15 and 16 living in Comines in Belgium.

"So we can go out on weekends a bit," appreciate the teenage girls, who have just finished their shopping at the Carrefour Market supermarket on the French side.

“In Belgium, the stores are smaller and some products more expensive,” they compare.

In Comines chez les Ch'tis, as everywhere in France, it is recommended not to gather indoors with more than six guests.

On the other side of the border, where we are experimenting with the concept of a “social bubble”, each member of the household can only have one close contact.

"The rules are stricter in Belgium," said Mayor Alice Leeuwerck.

A sworn statement to cross the border

"I don't understand a thing at all," grumbled Larry, a 57-year-old Frenchman who crossed the bridge without any certification to buy a carton of cheap cigarettes in Belgium.

It is true that it is not easy.

In the North, travel within a radius of 30 km for shopping is authorized.

In Belgium, the instructions are not the same, purchases in a neighboring country are only possible if you live near the border.

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The French as well as the Belgians who pass it must be in possession of a declaration on their honor (Belgian) available online in which it is necessary to tick a box with the endless statement: "Voyage d'un inhabitant of one of the border municipalities and their direct neighboring municipalities in the border country as part of daily life for activities which are also authorized in the country of primary residence and which are necessary.

»To lose his Latin!

“Administration in Belgium is also very complex,” smiles Tiphanie, 36, a French civil servant whose son is educated in kindergarten in Comines on the Belgian side.

"The Belgians are more disciplined than the French"

What is certain is that the passages between the two towns with their red brick houses have been considerably reduced in recent times.

“I hardly see any French anymore.

Before, they came all the time ”, regrets, in his deserted shop, Jamil, tobacconist in Belgium.

Another certainty: neighborhood quarrels have not disappeared from circulation.

“Some French people say that the Belgians come to give them the virus and vice versa.

Among the idiots, the Covid-19 has put back customs barriers ”, quipped a border worker.

As far as compliance with the restrictions is concerned, there also seem to be some differences.

“The Belgians are more disciplined than the French,” assures Belgian Virginie, a saleswoman in a bakery and chocolate factory.

"It is true that they are more respectful of the rules", confirms Sylvie, a French retiree.

The fine for violation of sanitary measures is 250 euros in Belgium and 135 euros in France.