One of the largest roadblocks in Guadeloupe, the result of the social protest born in mid-November, was dismantled by the police, said the regional prefecture on Tuesday, before announcing the extension until Friday curfew, but reduced. The measure remains in place in some municipalities: from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in 12 of them (Les Abymes, Baillif, Basse-Terre, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Gosier, Lamentin, Morne-à-l'Eau, Le Moule, Petit-Bourg, Pointe-à-Pitre, Sainte-Anne, Sainte-Rose), from 10 p.m. in Baie-Mahault and Goyave. Previously, 21 out of 32 municipalities were affected by a curfew that began earlier, at 6 p.m.
"That night, the police unblocked the roadblocks in the town of Sainte-Rose," this authority first announced in a press release.
The La Boucan dam, in Sainte-Rose, consisted of nearly 20 barricades over nearly 10 km.
Almost hermetic to all vehicles in the custody of several collectives, it was finally cleared by gendarmerie forces after three weeks of blockage.
Three people were arrested "calmly and without confrontation", we learned from the gendarmerie.
"The action of the security forces made it possible, at the same time, to maintain traffic throughout the territory", underlines the prefecture, which also mentions two other people arrested in Abymes.
Extension of free testing
Born from the refusal of the vaccine obligation against Covid-19 for caregivers and firefighters, the social movement which affects Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin has extended to political and social demands, in particular against the high cost of living, causing violence, looting and fires.
To the point that Guadeloupe and Martinique have been placed under curfew.
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The sale of gasoline in a transportable container remains prohibited, as the transport of combustible, corrosive or flammable products, except for professionals who justify it.
The prefecture also announced the extension until Friday of the health measures in force since November 12: compulsory wearing of the mask throughout the territory, one seat in two and one meter away in stadiums, meeting rooms and showrooms, minimum surface area of 4 m2 for each customer received in the stores.
The authorities also announced the extension of free tests in Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, not excluding "an epidemic rebound in the next two weeks" due to a "clear relaxation of barrier gestures" observed with social movements.