Because of the increasing number of new coronavirus cases, Paris and its inner suburbs (Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne) are now on maximum alert so is the Aix-Marseille conurbation.
Therefore, new restrictions have been made for 14 days, starting from Tuesday October 6. Even though bars must close down, restaurants are allowed to stay open in maximum alert areas, on the condition they respect and implement a new reinforced health protocol.
In addition to mandatory face-mask wearing and hand sanitizer provided to patrons, BFMTV says that restaurant managers will have to keep a one-meter distance between each table. They will also have to limit the number of patrons to 6 around the same table.
Another condition to keep up, according to BFMTV? Implementing a “call-back book”. The idea is to keep patrons’ data (name and phone number) for a month and in the event, there is a contamination case, they can help the health authorities tracking all contact cases.
Patrons “will be warned by the health authorities in case there is a suspicious case that was at the restaurant at the same time they were. This measure has already been proven effective abroad” restaurateurs say in a letter sent to the government.
Other restrictions to be implemented from Tuesday October 6? The ban of drinking while standing and the incitation to use the StopCovid app. Last but not least, professionals of the sector will have to apply seated payment to avoid trips within the restaurant.
Yet, checking temperature before getting in the restaurant, whether they are staff or patrons is ultimately not part of the conditions. Furthermore, restaurants can stay open at their usual opening hours.
For the record, restaurants in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille can reopen thanks to the implementation of this reinforced health protocol.
