Bordeaux's strict new coronavirus rules revealed
Upper limit of people at large public gatherings reduced to 1,000, while family and friends urged to limit group sizes to no more than 10
No more than 1,000 people will be allowed at large-scale outdoor events in the Gironde until further notice, the department's prefect has announced in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The restriction on public outdoor gatherings - heavily reduced from the previous maximum of 5,000 - was one of a number of "new measures intended to respond to the evolution of the health situation in the metropolis of Bordeaux", revealed on Monday afternoon, less than a week before Bordeaux faces Edinburgh in rugby's Challenge Cup quarter final at Stade Chaban Delmas.
The prefect also limited gatherings of family and friends to a maximum of 10 people, in individual or public spaces such as parks, gardens, beaches, or on the quays in Bordeaux.
Other key restrictions include:
- Fairgrounds, flea markets and neighbourhood parties are forbidden;
- More buses and trams will operate at peak hours to reduce crowding;
- Social events will have to respect "a strict sanitary protocol" otherwise they will be forbidden;
- Masks must be worn inside and within 50m of sports halls, theatres, educational campuses and conservatoires;
- Sports clubs' dressing rooms will be closed;
- Checks on businesses to ensure they are maintaining health protocols will be stepped up, and homeworking will be recommended where possible;
- Student parties and school outings are suspended;
- European Heritage Days, scheduled for later this month, are cancelled in the Bordeaux metropolitan area;
- No alcohol can be consumed in public streets in the city.
