In France, Reopening after the Covid-19 Crisis

It’s a joyful day in France today as many of the lockdown restrictions are being lifted across the country after the Covid-19 crisis. The health situation has significantly improved, as is demonstrated by the government’s colour-coded map of the country’s geographic regions, metropolitan areas, and overseas territories, categorising “green”, “orange,” and “red” zones, indicating the presence of the virus. The rules for the end-of-lockdown regulations depend on this colour classification. (At this point, the only “orange” zone in mainland France is the Paris region because the coronavirus is still actively circulating; the rest of the Hexagon is “green.”)

Credit: Rumman Amin, Unsplash

Looking ahead to the next phase of the reopening, the French hospitality industry has high hopes for the summer. Caroline Leboucher, the CEO of Atout France, the French tourism development agency, made the following statement:

“We await with anticipation Monday 15 June and the confirmation that EU borders will reopen. Professionals working within the French tourism industry have worked alongside the French Government to put together health protocols which will guarantee the safety of their employees and visitors, and encourage best practices. Beaches, countryside and mountain areas where people go walking or practise outdoor sports, culture and heritage sites, restaurants and tourist accommodation are all ready to welcome tourists again, who should, we hope, be able to enjoy the French way of life, enjoy a morning café crème and croissant on a terrace, share a French meal with friends, or meet up and enjoy some tasty food and wine together.”

Fondation Claude Monet, Giverny, France. Credit: Veronica Reverse, Unsplash