Paris, France: Alcohol Banned on Canal, Riverbanks
Police in Paris, France has banned alcohol use along the banks of the Seine river and its walkways as well as on the city’s canal banks, after large gatherings of people were observed with relaxation of lockdown.
After 55 days of strict lockdown laws people were allowed to go out again limited to groups of 10 on May 11, 2020. This relaxation came as COVID-19 cases are decreasing in the country.
People started to gather in the Saint Martin canal banks to consume alcohol and congregate in larger groups, despite the government guidelines requesting to maintain physical distance. Soon there was a large crowd that the police had to disperse. Thereafter from May 12, police banned alcohol use on Seine walkways and city’s canal banks to avoid similar problematic situations happening again.
The ban was requested by Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, who condemned “the irresponsibility of certain people’s behaviour”.
While COVID-19 cases are reducing in France the country remains on alert as cases could spike again any time. The country has been categorized into red and green zone. Lockdown relaxations have been more restricted in red zones such as the capital city Paris which are still showing a high level of infection.
The Ministry of health has urged the public to take measures such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing even as the lockdown relaxes to maintain a lower level of infection. Jean Castex, the senior French civil servant in charge of the easing measures, said that easing lockdown measures will be reversed if there is a spike in cases.
The World Health Organization has recommended restricting alcohol availability during COVID-19 and lockdowns as alcohol harms the physical and mental well-being of people and alcohol harms create an added burden on healthcare systems draining much needed resources during this public health crisis.
