France officially entered the first day of “closing the city”. The reporter visited the local situation in the capital Paris.
Reporter’s observation: Paris, France on the first day of “closing the city”
On the first day of “closing the city”, there was still a lot of traffic on the main road of Paris and the Champs-Elysées.
This is the biggest difference between this “closing” and the last one-let Those who need work do their best to work.
On the sidewalk next to it, the number of pedestrians was only one percent of the original number, or even less.
This is another feature of this “closure”-allowing people to gather as little as possible.
The reporter observed that the businesses on the Champs Elysées were basically closed and closed as required, and only fast food restaurants, bakeries, optical shops and computer supply shops were open. These shops are considered by the French government to be the basic needs of people, so they can be opened.
Among the French randomly interviewed by the reporter, most of them were more in favor of the “closure of the city” this time and were able to face it calmly.
Enzo, a resident of Paris, France: We tried to adapt to the “closed city”. We got used to the first “closed city” and probably knew what would happen. We live in a small apartment, and we will come out when we can go out for activities.
University of Paris, France Turia: I’m fine, not bad, everything is normal, we can work, and we can also walk out. University studies are all online, all online.
In a supermarket in a residential area of Paris, the reporter found that the goods are still relatively abundant, and there is no phenomenon of people snapping up and a large shortage of goods for the time being, everything seems to be relatively orderly.
The industries that have been hit harder this time are restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores. Most restaurants have rescued themselves and started to carry out takeaway business. Even so, the French Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises also stated that during the “closure” period, various small stores in France are likely to go bankrupt.
French Minister of Economy, Le Maire, said on the 30th that the “closing of the city” would reduce French economic activity by 15%. Therefore, despite the 18.2% economic recovery in the third quarter of France, the French government still reduced the growth of French GDP growth in 2020 from -10% is reduced to -11%.
The day before the French “closure”: haircuts get together and road congestion
On the 29th, the day before the national “closure”, the French people prepared for the “closure” and stored supplies. This caused serious road congestion in many places and the barbershop was overcrowded.
Starting on the 30th local time, French residents can only go out when they are working, seeking medical treatment and purchasing necessities. Everyone can exercise for one hour within one kilometer of their home every day, and all the above activities must have a “certificate”.
Restaurants And the bar will be temporarily closed. On the 29th, people rushed to the streets to make various preparations for “closing the city.”
Agence France-Presse reported that the sales of pasta and toilet paper in supermarkets have surged, and in some sports goods stores, yoga mats are quickly sold out. At the same time, some barber shops are overcrowded.
Barber in a barber shop in Cambrai, France. Casey: Customers are scrambling to get a haircut. Since the beginning of this week, we have felt the increase in the number of reservations in the store.
On the evening of the 29th, there were rare severe traffic jams on the arterial roads of many cities in France, and some roads seemed to be turned into temporary parking lots.
Some people can only rush to the supermarket after get off work, while others rush home in a hurry. In Paris, the capital, hundreds of people staged protests because of their dissatisfaction with the blockade measures.
Some people overturned trash cans, tables and chairs on the street to express their dissatisfaction. However, most people expressed their understanding and cooperation with the blockade measures.
With the temporary closure of shops and restaurants, coupled with related radiation effects, it is estimated that France’s GDP in November may lose 50 to 75 billion euros, and more companies may face bankruptcy.
