NEW COVID-19 ALERT SYSTEM & RESTRICTIONS IN FRANCE (Paris)

🇫🇷🤜🏽🦠 NEW COVID-19 ALERT SYSTEM AND RESTRICTIONS IN FRANCE

As announced by Minister for Health Olivier Veran on 23 September, the French départements are now regrouped according to four stages of public health alert:
1. ALERT (alerte) – Incidence rate of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. These départements will be required to limit weddings and social events to a maximum of 30 people. Local authorities can also take other measures to contain the spread of the virus, but they are not obliged to do so.
Currently 69 départements are currently classified under this category.

2. HEIGHTENED ALERT (alerte renforcée) – Incidence rate of above Protected content per 100,000 inhabitants and a high level of spread among the elderly (above 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), plus moderate pressure on hospitals.
Local authorities are obliged to implement the following measures:
(a) Close bars by 10pm from 28 September (local authorities may impose earlier closing times);
(b) Limit gatherings to 10 people in public spaces;
(c) Limit events to 1,000 people (instead of 5,000 currently) and banning all large parties such as student parties;
(d) Close gyms, sport halls and community halls;
(e) Encourage telecommuting as far as possible; and
(f) Compulsory to make appointments to visit elderly homes.
Currently, 11 cities are classified under this category: Paris (and its suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-de-Marne and Hauts-de-Seine), Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse and Nice.

3. MAXIMUM ALERT (alerte maximale) – Incidence rate of above Protected content per 100,000 inhabitants and a very high level of spread among the elderly (above Protected content per 100,000 inhabitants), plus high pressure on hospitals indicated by intensive care units having over 30% of their beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Local authorities are obliged to implement the following measures:
-(a) Close all bars and restaurants for at least 15 days from 26 September; and
-(b) Close all other public spaces that do not already have strict hygiene and social distancing rules in place. However, cinemas, museums and theatres will be exempt from this as they already have strict rules on wearing masks and social distancing.
Only Guadeloupe and the Aix-Marseille (Marseille and surrounding areas) have been classified under this category.

4. STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY (etat d’urgence sanitaire) – A STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY could be declared if the situation in an area classified as MAXIMUM ALERT worsens. The criteria justifying this declaration as well as the measures to be taken when this alert level is declared have not been announced.
Currently, no département has been classified under this category.

The situation will be reviewed weekly and départements will receive lower or higher risk designations depending on the local epidemiological situation.
More information on the new alert system and corresponding restrictions may be found here: Protected content
Given the differences in alert levels in each département, please check with your local authorities for the restrictions implemented in your respective areas.
SINGAPORE EMBASSY IN PARIS
🇸🇬🤜🏽🦠🇫🇷 Stay vigilant, stay clean, stay masked, stay at a safe distance, and stay safe!