Public transport stopped, cities under quarantine and deserted streets: quarantine measures are increasing in China. A repatriation operation for French nationals present in Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is home to the virus, was organized last week by French authorities.
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China is to date the country most affected by the coronavirus epidemic - and the only one to apply such drastic containment measures. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not advise to date to travel to other countries or plan to return to France because of this virus, but admits that it is " difficult to predict the evolution of the epidemic " .
To French nationals who would be present in a country at risk - at this stage, China - the Quai d'Orsay addresses several recommendations. Le Figaro takes stock of what you need to know if you find yourself in a country put under a bell because of the spread of a virus.
The Quai d'Orsay advises prevention
The Chinese authorities have drastically limited the means of movement within the country: the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises its nationals not to go against these measures. Travel to Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic, is therefore " formally discouraged " for those who are elsewhere on Chinese territory. " The provinces of Hunan, Henan, Guangdong and Zhejiang are not recommended unless there are imperative reasons ," adds the Quai d'Orsay.
To the French who are still present in the Hubei region despite the two repatriation operations, the ministry advises to resolve to containment. The French Embassy in China remains open to nationals, as well as the various consulates. These organizations ensure that arrangements are made to facilitate distance education in order to allow children who are there to continue their education, as schools are closed in many cities in China.
For those who are not in China but are planning a trip, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises to postpone these trips.
Airlines allow flights to be postponed
On the Air France side, all flights from or to China are suspended until March 15 inclusive. Travelers can request a postponement of their flights free of charge until May 31. Similarly, British Airways, Lufhtansa, Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines have canceled their connections and are offering travelers who have booked a flight to postpone or cancel it.
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In case of emergency, French nationals can however fall back on companies that have not decided to suspend their connections between China and France, such as Air China and China Eastern. The lines connecting Paris to Beijing or Shanghai are maintained.
On the work side, decisions " on a case-by-case basis "
Can a French national stranded in China because of the coronavirus be dismissed by his employer? Several cases are to be distinguished.
If the employee is in France because of his work, it is up to his employer to implement repatriation measures: " we could apply the jurisprudence that exists concerning conflict zones to what is currently happening in China " , supports Audrey Pascal, lawyer in labor law at the bar of Limoges. The employer then has the obligation to ensure the safety of his employee. If repatriation is not possible, it is also up to the employer to implement on-site containment measures.
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Another scenario: the employee went to China as part of his leave and failed to return to French territory. “ The employer then has no duty towards his employee, explains Audrey Pascal . If the absence of the employee disrupts the activity of the company, disrupts it and harms him, dismissal procedures can be envisaged. But only in the case of a long absence, of several months ”. The employer must then demonstrate the impact of the absence of his employee. In such a delicate situation, the lawyer insists: everything is decided " on a case-by-case basis ".