Scepticism Greets Paris City Hall's '3-week Lockdown' Idea
Muhammad Irfan Published February 26, 2021 | 03:40 PM
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :A wall of scepticism on Friday greeted a suggestion by Paris city hall for a three-week lockdown against the coronavirus to help restore normality in the French capital, with critics accusing Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo of a PR stunt.
France has so far avoided a third lockdown to battle Covid-19 but, with case numbers starting to rise, the government of President Emmanuel Macron is beginning to impose restrictions on a local basis.
Mayors do not have the power to impose lockdowns which must be approved by the government but Paris deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said a three-week measure would give "hope of everything reopening again" including cafes and cultural establishments.
"You can't force yourself to live in a semi-prison for months. Now you have to make courageous decisions," he told France Info radio on Thursday, adding that city hall would propose the measure to the government.
Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the idea would be studied but added there was little point having a lockdown for Paris alone given the numbers travelling in and out every day.
Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, interviewed on LCI tv, expressed scepticism, adding sarcastically: "Anne Hidalgo may have visionary scientific and epidemiological skills that I do not have." Right-wing critics also slammed the call as electioneering ahead of a possible presidential bid by Hidalgo next year.
"Anne Hidalgo cannot use Parisians, play with their life and future, for the sake of PR stunts aimed above all at opposing Emmanuel Macron," the right-wing Change Paris group led by former minister Rachida Dati said in a statement.
In new comments Friday, Gregoire appeared to row back on his earlier remarks, which he insisted were "an idea and not a proposal".
The controversy comes after the French Riviera around Nice and the northern coastal city of Dunkirk -- two coronavirus hotspots -- were placed this week under weekend lockdown.
Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday placed 20 other territorial areas known as departments, including Paris and its suburbs, under "reinforced surveillance", meaning they too could soon be placed under partial lockdown.
"The health situation in our country has got worse," he told reporters at a press conference late Thursday, saying that the figure of 31,000 daily infections recorded on Wednesday was the highest since November.
He added that the more rapidly-spreading variant that originated in England now accounted for almost half of infections in France.
Observers say Macron has gambled by resisting pressure for a third lockdown, with schools and non-essential businesses all open in contrast to France's neighbours, even if cafes remain shut.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
21 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
6 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
6 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
13 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago