New restrictions in Overseas Territories.
Partial confinement during the day, "reinforced by a strict curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.", will be put in place in Reunion Island "from this weekend, for a period of two weeks", announced Thursday the prefect of La Jacques Billant meeting.
This is a first since the confinement of spring 2020. According to the prefect, it is a question of "limiting family and friendly reunions, so generators of contamination".
These measures will be valid at least until August 16.
From 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., travel will be limited to a radius of 10 km around his home from Monday to Saturday "and this radius is" lowered to 5 km on Sunday, "said Mr. Billant, stressing that the Reunionese can only" coming and going, within a radius of 10 km, in stores ”where the mask must be worn continuously.
It is therefore the return of compelling reasons, which constitute a derogation from this confinement.
It lists the trips necessary for vaccination against Covid-19, those between home and the workplace, health reasons, imperative family reasons.
Bars, restaurants and gyms closed
Restaurants, bars and sports halls will be closed, since it is not possible to wear a mask. This will be the case until the law on the health pass is applied. The only exception: this weekend these places can remain open, the party rooms where weddings were planned on Saturday or Sunday. The sale and consumption of food will also be impossible in closed places such as cinemas or party halls.
"Obviously, Reunion could not win the speed race against the virus and its variants," said Martine Ladoucette, director of the Regional Health Agency of Reunion, during the press conference. Reunion has experienced a sharp deterioration in its health situation in recent weeks. The incidence rate there exceeded 300 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the week of July 17 to 23. The department identified 48 clusters. Only 37.84% of the Reunionese population is fully vaccinated, against more than 50% of the total French population.
On Wednesday, Martinique already announced the return of confinement for 3 weeks. As in Reunion, cultural venues will remain open. In the West Indies too, caregivers are facing the pressure of the fourth wave, with very low vaccination rates. In Saint-Barthélemy, the incidence rate exceeds 1,500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
