The City of Lights is shutting down again in an attempt to stave off a third wave of COVID-19. From midnight, Paris will enter lockdown for one month.
2021 Paris Lockdown
Over the last 24 hours, France has recorded 35,000 new COVID-19 cases. Hospitals in the Paris region are filling up, with more people in intensive care units today than at the peak of the second last wave in November. French Prime Minister Jean Castex noted that one person in France is entering ICU every four minutes from COVID-19.
Key details about the new Paris lockdown:
- Effective at midnight on March 18, 2021, non-essential businesses will close for month
- Outdoor exercise is permitted within 10 kilometers of home
- Travel outside your region is not permitted without a “valid” reason
- A form will be required for travel to other regions
- A nationwide PM curfew will remain in place, but will be extended to 7:00PM to account for the longer daylight
- Schools will remain open
- Hotels will remain open, but restaurants, gyms, and spas inside must close (room service permitted)
Meanwhile, vaccination efforts have slowed as the French government has joined other nations in suspending the AstraZeneca vaccine due to blood clot concerns. Even if the vaccine is later re-introduced, BBC noted only 20% of French citizens have confidence in its efficacy.
My Transit In Paris: Cancelled
Not that my trip matters much, but we have cancelled our planned journey via Paris early next month. I had asked for your thoughts on overland transit from Paris to Germany and the consensus was this would be possible since my family holds EU passports.
However, with the country on lockdown and most non-essential businesses closed, we will pick up my item on a future trip to Paris.
> Read More: How Easy Is Overland Transit Via France?
CONCLUSION
The Paris area will enter a new lockdown in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Other regions may soon follow. In announcing the lockdown, Health Minister Olivier Véran warned the lockdown may be extended, but hopefully would be the final lockdown in France. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron is facing increasing heat from both sides. Some argue he is not doing enough while others argue that he is not doing enough…ah, the life of politician.
Will the latest Paris lockdown impact your travels?
French president was more concerned about the Amazon and forgot to order vaccines. The Astra Zeneca vaccine has been a political fight between the UK and the EU over Brexit. Brazil has been using Astra Zeneca vaccine and has zero cases of blood clots.
Talk about deja vu!!!!!
Macron has effed it up, big time. He’s been far too interested in playing crazy political games; his perfidy has cost lives and now Parisians have to pay again. The EU is falling apart: it will be not much more than a trading bloc within a few years.
It sounds like a lot of the blame falls on the French people as well as the government. Non-French friends in Europe, mainly Spain, are citing a growing resentment/disdain for the French as they appear to flout most restrictions to fight Covid while they visit other countries. The trending theme is the French feel they are are somehow immune (or at least less susceptible) and that “it hasn’t hit France as hard as everywhere else in Europe” so there’s no need to take the same precautions as the other countries, even whilst *in* those other countries. Of course this is anecdotal and may be latent anti-French feelings, though the sentiment is common amongst many friends, some expat and some native Spaniards/Britons/Italians, none of which know each other. Perhaps this is the chickens coming home to roost. Doesn’t bode well for borders opening but maybe it’s a much-needed dose of reality for the French.
omg, how badly can the EU do????
Everyone other area is doing way better.
Who is in charge here?
And the government response – more of the same. Lolol.
Lockdown didn’t work the first time.
Lockdown didn’t work the second time.
Watch out people, third time is the charm!
‘2 weeks to flatten the curve.’
=
‘Uh, stay inside for a year.’
lololol.
It’s pretty clear to me that the only thing keeping us thus far from this third wave are the vaccinations. At least we got that part right. Because after witnessing what I am in Texas this week, if not for our speed in vaccines, we would be in serious trouble. Some places may still end up being.
I feel awful for the French. And really everyone in the EU. I can understand Brazil messing up completely its vaccine rollout. But the EU? This is insane.
What a joke. The EU is a joke and so is Macron. A third lockdown? Yeah, I’m sure that’ll work. Clown.
Let’s crap on the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, screw up the orders and distribution, and spend most of our time mocking the US. I’m sure that’ll work.
That’s basically what the EU has done.
@Stuart: stop trashing Brazil about their vaccination program. Maybe you should read more and talk less. According to the article below. https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/saude/noticia/2021-02/brazil-buys-another-54-mi-doses-vaccine-against-covid-19
Remember one thing: Brazil is a developing country, very different than countries in the US,, it has 215MM people living in an area that is larger in size than the US if you don’t count Alaska and with some serious logistics challenges. If you do some research until yesterday almost 10MM Brazilians have received at least 1 dose of vaccine. Neighboring countries data shows that Argentina only 2.2MM, Peru 410k, Paraguay 12k, Chile 5MM. Remember again, Brazil is a developing country. Now, look at the EU. France 5MM, Germany 7MM, Switzerland 700k, Italy 5MM. If you look in total number of vaccines administered, Brazil is the #4 in the world behind the US, UK and India. Of course it is lagging as a % of the population but that is a problem when you have over 200MM to get vaccinated but in terms of access to vaccines the country is actually doing really well.
Matthew get the App from Auswärtiges Amt called ‘Sicher Reisen’. You can pic the countries that you want updates from and get informed as soon as new stuff appears.
I’m transiting through Paris next week but one and that shouldn’t be a problem.
Idiots. This lockdown will be the one to work. Rigghhhhht. Then the fourth. Then the fifth. When will people wake up and stand up to this government overreach? End the madness.
@Santastico. I’m going to remind you again, as you seem to always assume I am ignorant when it comes to Brazil, that I live there part of the year. By choice, not for work. Because I love the country so much. With that said, I also understand the nature of how things “are” in Brazil when it comes to anything related to the Government. No matter who is the leader. Bottom line is, if Bolosonaro had taken things seriously from the start far less people would have died the past year and vaccination rollouts would be well ahead of where they are. Not to mention that he has not even done anything to encourage even taking the vaccine, saying, “If you take it and turn into an alligator it’s not my fault.” Great message.
Look, I have no idea who you are. But I have hundreds of neighbors and friends in Brazil who I talk to every day there. It’s a mess. Hospitals are teetering. People are desperate. They all have little hope in getting any vaccine in the next few months. And when they do they are resigned that it’s going to be a less desirable Chinese one OR Astra Zeneca that is the least effective, especially in relation to the new variant there. The only real hope they have now is the private sector buying up more desirable vaccines for sale to those who can afford it or wait for the recent purchase of Pfizer that the Govt made but will not arrive until late (their) winter.
So, please, stop trying to give me an education on Brazil. It may work with others here, not with me.
@Stuart: you don’t know me so as a way of introduction I happen to have a blue passport who says “Republica Federativa do Brasil” on it. I don’t think you do. My family lives there, not only friends and neighbors. I agree with all you said about the mess but I disagree on the vaccines. There are more than 10mm Brazilians vaccinated and that is data from the WHO. All people in my family that are 65 years and old got the vaccine. They did not pay or had any priority to get it. They simply got because it was their turn. Thus, you can say anything about the past mistakes made but you cannot say Brazil has not vaccinated more than 10mm people which is higher than any country other than US, UK and India.
@ Stuart & @ Santastico,
Just getting the popcorn ready now……..
@Santastuco I agree with you. RJ state has a pretty fantastic vaccination program in place where state residents can predict the day they get their first dose. Brazil is at 10M now, but it will go up substantially over the next month. Brazil may have been late to start, but they will most like reach the finish line sooner than anyone else in Latin America, or possibly even continental Europe.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, I’m literally writing this comment as I sit on the beach in Barra Da Tijuca.
@Jerry: is there a lockdown right now? Restaurants open? Hotel gyms/spas?
@Marc: there is no need for popcorn. I agree Covid is out of control in Brazil for many reasons that I can explain but what I disagree with his comments is related to vaccines. Just look at WHO data and you will see. As for reasons for Covid being out of control in Brazil I will number them very quickly:
1. Politicians: mask/no mask; lockdown/no lockdown. Sounds familiar ?
2. Culture: try making Brazilians obey any orders. Good luck with that
3. Weather: it is summer there. Temperatures easily get over 100F. There is no air conditioning in the homes. Nobody will stay inside.
4. Developing country: most of Brazilians are poor. They use public transportation. They are not very well educated. They need to buy food. Thus, social distancing is a pipe dream there. Also, the rich are stupid and think they are above the law. They keep partying.
5. Broken health system: it is non existent. There are no hospitals for everyone and the health system is a disaster.
@Matthew: similar to the US. Each mayor (not even Governor) makes their rules. Some beaches are closed. Some are not. Read my post below.
@Jerry: thank you for confirming what I already said.
@Matthew in Rio de Janeiro state everything has been open since the 11th. Bars, spas, restaurants beach, whatever, but everything closes at 9:00PM. Amenities for hotel guests can stay open later. The Grand Lounge is even open for Happy Hour!
Tomorrow, in RJ, the beaches are going to close for the weekend. A bit senseless as it appears all other businesses can continue to operate until 9, but the local government has indicated stronger measures may come in to effect on Monday.
We’ve had it rough, but at the end of the day, I love it here in the USA. We’ll be first out of this and we’ll end up shipping vaccines globally- saving everyone’s butts once again (and of course India’s production capability). We should put Trudeau last on the list, however, clown of the highest order. US = 40 million ++ vaccinated, the old and infirm nearly fully protected- lets get the party started
@Stuart: For you to practice your Portuguese
https://g1.globo.com/bemestar/vacina/noticia/2021/03/19/governo-assina-com-a-janssen-contrato-que-preve-38-milhoes-de-vacina-no-quarto-trimestre-do-ano.ghtml
Between April and September this year there will be 138MM new doses available between Pfizer and J&J. That brings the number of doses of vaccine secured by the Brazilian Government for 2021 to 562MM doses. That is enough to vaccinate the entire country with 2 doses until the end of the year.
If only “Orange Man Bad” weren’t the President of France then none of this would have happened.
@Santastico. I received a notice today from the city of Santo Andre. The city has ordered 2M vaccines. They have listed the breakdown. I would be happy to share it with you if you like via Matthew. Two takeaways though, there is no date as to when they will arrive. As well that this is a municipality. The Federal Govt. has forced local governments to now fend for themselves. Sound familiar? Perhaps a bit like a Trump approach? How did that work out? Further, to counter your arguments, I sent a message in one of my What’s App groups of friends there and not a single person over 65 (about 20 of them) have or can get vaccinated other than the few families who have paid a small fortune (Brazil standards) to do so privately.
@Jerry, Interesting. I talked to friends in Rio and yes, some are vaccinated, with the lesser Astra Zeneca, but had to pay private clinics. One chose to pay 10K Reals for himself, wife and two kids a week ago. So I’m curious where your information is on the organized system that you claim is prevailing there?
@Santastico. Meanwhile, you conveniently refuse to acknowledge that Brazil could be months ahead with vaccines and not in the position it is in now where hospitals are at a breaking point. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56424611. It’s in English for you to practice.
@Stuart: WhatsApp group? Really? I talk to my parents, in laws, uncles and aunts. No need to ask friends. I talk to my family. If you don’t trust me it is you problem. I can name at least 12 people from my family that are 65+ and they drove to Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo where nurses were giving them shots. There are many drive thrus as well. All free. If your WhatsApp friends are paying they probably need to get of the phone and just read the local paper to find where to get for free.
What a bunch of ignorant fouls/idiots in this comment sections! If you had read about this so called lockdown, you would understand that it is not really a lockdowm.
People can go out and take a walk as the president himself encouraged this but not in groups.
@Santastico, you’d better shut up and have a close look at how your government is doin in terms of Covid management. Brazil has the worst management.
@Stuart coronavirus.rio
It’s on the landing page.
@Brit in Paris: take your head out of your ass and look what France is doing. Your president thinks Brazilians are stupid but he was put in his place. You don’t know how to read or missed my posts above. It is not a Government problem. It is a culture problem.
@Santastico You are dumber than I thought. First of all learn to read and you’ll understand that I have no president. Secondly, not sure what you are referring to about Brazil and Macron. You see, like most people, I don’t have much interest in Brazil news. Here in the west, we just started to learn more about how bad/alarming the covid situation is in your country. Looks like your leader changed his minister of health for the 3rd or 4th time. Nice! Go back and play futbol instead of posting your nonsense in a travel blog for adults.
@Brit in Paris: Based on your name I assuned you are an obnoxious Brit living in Paris. As far as I know Paris is in France and that France has a president but maybe you brought your queen to live in your basement so you can feel at home. Enjoy your tea. I heard it helps against Covid.