Christmas 2020 prepared under the sign of deconfinement

This year, the Christmas holidays have a different taste following the coronavirus epidemic.

Despite the uncertainty, confinements and disappointments, the French have decided to celebrate Christmas. Gestures barriers and restrictions imposed by the government are there.

On November 24, the President of the Republic A President of the Republic presented a deconfinement plan in several stages.

The second step

On December 15, the Prime Minister confirmed the date of December 15 for the second phase of the process. No more traffic restrictions but replaced by a curfew. The reopening of cultural places has not been done and places of worship cannot exceed the threshold of 30 people.

The announced objectives were not achieved. We are far from 5,000 contaminations per day nor 2,500 to 3,000 people in intensive care. Following this, cultural venues will in principle only be able to reopen on January 7, 2021. The date of January 20, 2021 is proposed for the reopening of bars and restaurants if things develop in the right direction, as for the ski lifts in the regions. winter sports resorts. It would appear, however, that the Christmas holidays and the reconfigurations in Europe are moving in the opposite direction. You must absolutely avoid the 3rd wave.

If Christmas Eve is not subject to curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., it will not be the same for December 31, which will be subject to numerous drastic controls. Travel outside the departments is authorized.

Preparing for Christmas Eve

The first phase of the deconfinement plan allowed the reopening of department stores and “non-essential” businesses on November 28. This was also the case for hairdressing salons and beauty institutes, driving schools and property visits. The toy stores drew a crowd.

On this occasion, families discovered the layout of the windows of Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, BHV Maris and Bon Marché. The decorations have also invaded the streets and small businesses.

A new style of consumption has arrived for this New Year’s Eve. It was possible to order dishes from the great chefs who offered the « Click & Collect ». The recommended number of guests was 6 adults and late midnight mass into the evening.

Christmas holidays

School holidays in the 3 zones started on Friday December 18, 2020 in the evening and will last until Monday January 4, 2021.

The French were able to join their families during this period, by car, train or plane. They must follow the curfew except for the night of December 24 to 25. Following the problems related to collective facilities in winter sports resorts, many have chosen the sea (Brittany, Normandy, Côte d’Azur or Atlantic). Snow-related activities are however maintained (cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, etc.). Some others preferred abroad (or even authorized destinations).

Reconfinement at our neighbors

Following the increase in contaminations and hospitalizations, many European countries (9) have closed their borders and re-confined.

• Germany, (until mid-January).
• United Kingdom, (compulsory test).
• Italy (fortnight between December 21 and travel between regions prohibited between December 21 and January 6, curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., late midnight mass).
• Sweden (wearing a mask in transport, no more than 4 guests at the table).
• Greece (for 3 weeks, non-essential shops, cultural places and sports halls closed, online forms to be completed 48 hours before travel).
• Swiss
• Belgium (curfew from midnight to 5 am, for Christmas 1 guest only for 1 couple, 2 for a single person, test and stay not to exceed 48 hours, quarantine of 7 days for people coming from « red zones).
• Netherlands (10-day quarantine, pre-embarkation health declaration form).
• Portugal (daytime curfew, 2 m distance rules, temperature measurement, « Clean & Safe » label, wearing of a mask).
• Denmark (shops closed from December 25 to January 3 except food and health, as well as schools, sports, culture and restaurants).

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