Jean Rottner, the president of the Grand Est region, had campaigned for containment in the face of the first wave that swept over the region from Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin) in February-March.
For this second wave of autumn 2020, the elected representative assures
us
that "
we are going towards a reconfinement
".
"
It's my intuition as a doctor,
" he said on BFMTV.
To read also: Emmanuel Macron: "It is too early to say whether we are going towards local or broader reconfigurations"
On social networks, this Sunday, October 25, 2020, he ensures that this new reconfinement will be "
different from the first
".
The president of the region assured that he gathered the members of the regional executive this Sunday, by videoconference, to "
anticipate, listen, invent and help
".
"
I asked each of them (the vice-presidents of the Grand Est Region) to be ready this week,
" he assured on Twitter.
"The authorities must be responsible"
Jean Rottner, still on Twitter, also launched an appeal to Prime Minister Jean Castex.
“
We all learned from the first lockdown.
If it was even necessary to partially reconfigure, let's talk about it beforehand, between government and communities.
Learning it 3 hours before the decision is not good.
Discussing possible plans upstream would be responsible,
”he wrote, also addressing the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran.
Asked about BFMTV, Jean Rottner assured that the authorities must be "
credible
", because "
the French today (...) question the words of scientists, politicians and experts
".
Read also: Europe swept away by the second wave of Covid-19
He also welcomes the measures taken this weekend in Brussels, Belgium.
The Belgian capital has decided to further tighten the bans without completely re-defining its population.
Among them: closure of all cultural places, sports halls, closure of all shops at 8 p.m. where only one person has the right to do their shopping (and not with family or groups), obligation to work from home, curfew night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
They come into force on Monday.
According to him, these new measures are
“
interesting and adapted to the situation.
We could adopt similar ones in France in certain territories without going back to a reconfinement
”, assures the elected Republicans.
Reconfinement adapted to the economy
According to him, France could adopt a reconfinement where one "
preserves the economic functioning
" with a strengthening of teleworking, the continued opening of schools, distance courses for students.
He also pleads for the opening of only “
everyday
”
shops
, the abolition of public and private gatherings, the limitation of travel and the reservation of public transport for employees.
He called for “
the discussion
” around new measures to come in the face of Covid-19 without which “
all the fantasies
” will “
gradually spread
”.
Read also: Coronavirus: the French economy should finally fall a little less heavily this year
This exit of the president of the Grand Est is not isolated.
This weekend, several doctors have published columns or given interviews where they suggest a new confinement with several scenarios.
For example, Philippe Amouyel and Luc Dauchet, public health specialists at Lille University Hospital, call for “eco-compatible
confinement
” from Monday, October 26, 2020.
Decisive week
This new week promises to be particularly decisive in France.
The number of cases is not decreasing, evidenced by a new record announced this Sunday with more than 52,000 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours.
In the week, the government could announce new departments placed under curfew.
In the Grand Est, the Moselle and the Vosges are particularly concerned.
Jean Castex warned last Thursday that if the curve of newly infected does not drop, tougher measures will be taken.
On Friday, Emmanuel Macron said it was too early to consider local reconfigurations but did not rule out this option in the days to come.