15 June 2020 :COVID-19 LOCKDOWN EXIT PLAN,France (Paris)

Message from Singapore Embassy in France

On 14 June, President Emmanuel Macron announced that starting Monday, 15 June, the entire French metropolitan area will turn GREEN, a week earlier than expected (NB: Mayotte and French Guiana will remain ORANGE.) He also made three following announcements:

1. SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES:
• From 15 June, all restaurants and bars may reopen, including in Paris where diners had only been able to dine on terraces since 2 June.
· Swimming pools, gyms, theatres, and tourist accommodations will also be able to reopen in Paris.
• From 15 June, all nursing homes for the elderly (Ehpad) will be open to visits again.
• Large social gatherings should still be avoided, although specific limits on the numbers were not mentioned.

2. SCHOOLS
• All schools will reopen from 22 June, and it will again be mandatory for all pupils in nurseries (crèches), primary schools (écoles primaire) and secondary schools (collèges) to attend school regularly, according to pre-lockdown schedules.

3. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
• From midnight on 15 June, all travel to countries in the European area (EU, Schengen zone, UK and Andorra) would again be allowed. Travellers to France from these countries, regardless of their nationality, will no longer be required to complete the international travel permit or declare that their travel is essential. However, the 14-day voluntary quarantine for people arriving from Spain (by air only) and the UK will remain.
• From 1 July, France will gradually reopen its borders to countries outside the European area, where the outbreak is under control. This opening will be gradual and differentiated according to the health situation in the various third countries. The list of countries with whom France will open its borders will be announced at a later date.
• International students would be able to come to France again, regardless of their country of origin, and their applications for visas and residence permits will be given priority.

4. LOCAL ELECTIONS
• France will hold the second round of its municipal elections on 28 June.

5. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• With effect from 16 June, public transport during peak hours in Paris will no longer be restricted to those with an "attestation" from their employer or a sworn declaration for essential movement. However, masks will still be mandatory on public transport.

COMMENT

Although most of the lockdown restrictions will be lifted, it is important to note that COVID-19 is still in circulation. We therefore need to remain vigilant. Please continue to be scrupulous about practising the “gestes barrières” or the personal hygiene and cleanliness etiquette, as well as observing safe-distancing measures to protect ourselves and our families and friends.

SINGAPORE EMBASSY IN PARIS
Stay home and stay safe, or stay vigilant, stay clean, stay masked, stay at a safe distance, and stay safe!