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Meeting point for writers at Café de Flore
Photo: Kiran Ridley / Getty Images
Emmanuel Macron imposed a new, nationwide lockdown before Easter.
But the French President knows how tired the population is after a year of Corona.
And he knows that people need perspectives.
That is why Macron has announced the opening of the cultural scene and the terraces from mid-May at the same time as the restrictions.
It is important to rediscover the French way of life and the "cafes we love so much," he said.
"I'm afraid that only the old will be allowed to travel this summer."
Louise Guerder, entrepreneur in Paris
“I would give a lot to finally be able to go to the café again,” says Louise Guerder, 37. The entrepreneur is standing in front of the “Aux Petits Oignons” restaurant in the 20th arrondissement of Paris.
The pretty bistro, which has occasionally been used as a film set, is closed that day.
She doesn't dare to make big plans: "I'm afraid that only the elderly will be allowed to travel this summer."
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Louise Guerder in front of the “Aux Petits Oignons” restaurant: Many bistros couldn't survive the crisis
Photo: DER SPIEGEL
Digital corona certificate and test concerts
Travel, restaurants and concert visits from May - none of this seems realistic at the moment, especially as the corona numbers continue to rise.
The government has therefore been working for weeks on a series of measures to make this possible.
Some of this is already a reality, at least in the private sector: Air France has been testing digital Corona evidence since March 11th.
The AOK pass is valid for flights from Paris to Gouadeloupe and Martinique and now also to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Anyone who uses this app and has themselves tested by a partner laboratory of the airline is a priority for security checks and boarding.
The cultural sector is also making preparations: In April and May, test concerts are to take place under strict Corona rules in Paris and Marseille, each with 5000 and 2000 guests.
Depending on the location, the date could still be shifted backwards.
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AOK pass from Air France: If you use the app, you can get on the plane earlier
Photo: Air France
Many French are skeptical whether the terraces can actually open from mid-May.
Access will be possible under certain conditions that have not yet been definitively determined.
Anyone who wants to go to the restaurant in the future will probably have to scan a QR code at the entrance to identify themselves.
This should work with the existing Covid warning app "TousAntiCovid", which is already used by around 13 million French people.
As soon as another guest tests positive, you will receive a message.
If you don't have a cell phone, you can, as before, enter your name and phone number on a list.
It is unclear how the French will take the measure: Louise Guerder doesn't think much of the idea.
She thinks that a visit to the bistro should be spontaneous.
Such a code at the entrance is annoying.
"Everyone here knows me anyway," says Bernard Delpierre, 75. He is standing with a rosé in a paper cup in front of his regular "La Nouvelle Etoile" bistro.
A few days later he will have to be content with a coffee.
Since Saturday, April 3rd, alcohol consumption on the street has been banned.
He proudly shows his Covid vaccination certificate, which he always carries with him.
There is no way he will mess around with any QR codes and he believes that most of the French will be against it on principle because they rebel against any kind of authority.
Even the unionist Hubert Jan is skeptical.
There will be problems at least at the beginning, he says.
And adds: "The French are unruly Gauls."
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Bernard Delpierre: "Everyone knows me here"
Photo: Petra Truckendanner / DER SPIEGEL
“Who should check all this?” Asks Eduardo Cardoso Scarabel, head of the “Le Charlot” brasserie on Rue de Bretagne in Paris.
None of his employees feel like playing the gendarme.
Many Parisians had hesitated when they had to leave their cell phone number and email address when they ate.
He knew very well that some guests had cheated and made false statements.
It is also difficult to imagine rejecting a guest who does not want to scan the code.
The reopening of the restaurants is also becoming more and more urgent from an economic point of view.
Even if the bistros actually open again in May, there could be a rude awakening.
According to one estimate, 40 percent of restaurants and bistros will not survive the crisis.
