Minister calls for French police to get tough on lockdown
The interior minister says there has been a 鈥渞ecurrent lack of respect鈥� for confinement in some areas
Interior Minister G茅rald Darmanin has called on police in France to reinforce confinement rules amid fears that the second confinement is not being taken as seriously as the first earlier this year.
Read more: People in France travelling far more this lockdown than last
In a letter sent to prefects, Mr Darmanin asked police to show 鈥減articular firmness enforcing respect, on the ground, for tendencies concerning private gatherings, gatherings in public places and the closure of establishments that receive the public, as well as individual journeys that do not correspond with authorised reasons for travel鈥�.
More checks on travel exemption forms encouraged
The minister advised that police forces increase their presence in public places, especially in urban areas and densely populated zones where there has been 鈥渁 recurrent lack of respect for confinement鈥�.
He said increased police checks on people who do leave their homes should be 鈥渧isible鈥� and concentrated on fixed locations such as 鈥減assage points and large travel hubs such as stations and airports鈥�.
As for carrying out checks on private gatherings, Mr Darmanin suggested that police 鈥減ay attention to people entering or leaving places without legitimate reasons, in violation of imposed rules鈥� as well as looking out for 鈥渆xcessive noise鈥� and other indications that gatherings may be happening.
Your lockdown questions answered
Some rules have changed since the first lockdown in France. The Connexion has been answering reader questions about the rules for the second confinement, such as:
Can I visit friends and family?
Can I drive a friend to the doctor?
Can I go to the dentist?
Can I take a family member to the airport?
Can we exercise as a couple or family?
Can I write two names on an attestation?
Does the 1-hour limit apply to my weekly shop?
Can I drive to a supermarket 19km away?
Can I go to feed my horses 10km away?
Do you have a question about lockdown rules in France? Email us: questions@connexionfrance.com
The fine for leaving the house without a valid travel exemption form during confinement is 鈧�135.
Travel exemption forms are available to print and download (in French). There is an available and also an . There is also a digital version available via the smartphone app.
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