In Paris during Coronavirus? What you need to know

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The impact of Coronavirus in Paris has been utterly devastating. At the moment, over 40,000 people in France were tested positive for CoVid-19, and over 2,600 people died (about 7,700 people were cured, though). Numbers are still rising.

Over a million people fled Paris a few hours before the lockdown began, and the population dropped by 20%.

A lot of tourists who were visiting the French capital, however, are still in Paris, and are either self-isolating or in hospital because of the disease.

We aim to provide all of you with important information about the following days of lockdown, which has been extended until the 15th of April until further notice.

Returning to your home country

A lot of trains and airplanes routes have been recently cancelled, and your chances to travel abroad are surely affected by this decision, however, there are still some commercial routes available for those who want to return to their home country to spend the lockdown period in their own home.

Before doing so, however, we recommend you to contact the local embassy of your country to get detailed instructions.

Suspended activities

If you must stay in Paris for any circumstances, you must limit any movement outside of your home: if you are working, you won’t be able to do so (unless you fall into those categories of businesses that can stay open), and any all tourist attractions are closed, anyway.

The main Visitor Bureau offices are also closed, although some minor offices across the country might still be open at certain times. If you need any information, however, make sure you only go in person if you can’t do it on the phone.

All public places such as parks and gardens are also closed.

What you can do

Unless it is necessary to do so, stay indoors. However, there a few exceptions to this, specifically:

  • When you travel from home to work (if you can’t work from home and your work falls into one of the “protected categories”);
  • When you travel for basic needs: you can still go to buy groceries, tobacco, and medicines, but keep in mind that you should keep the safety distance (one meter) from other people who are shopping as you. You can also travel for any health reasons, as they are considered important necessities;
  • When you travel to help elderly, children, or vulnerable people, but you may need to prove it, if enquired by authorities. Social care is encouraged, but remember that people who are self-isolating with symptoms are a threat for your and other people’s health, and if they are at risk, they should probably be hospitalised;
  • When you go to a bank, however, as a rule of thumb, try to perform all transactions by card and always wash your hands when touching cash and coins;
  • When you go to a petrol station, which are open, but self-operated;
  • When you do physical activity or sporting activities, but still keep the safety distance with other people;

Whatever the reason for your travel, you must always carry a form issued by the government that can be downloaded from the government’s website. You must fill it in before leaving your home, and carry it with you at all times.

Hotels are still open, but restaurants and bars are not. Keep that in mind when travelling.

What happens next

After the lockdown ends, there will likely be a cooldown period before Paris goes back to its full regime. We will keep you posted about any further developments.

For the time being, stay strong, stay safe, stay home.

Worried about Coronavirus in Paris? Contact us for support.

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