In France under lockdown - AMA

[MickeyMouae199]

I'm currently under lockdown in France in a relatively big city. The measures came into effect at 12pm today and will last for at least two weeks... Feel free to ask any questions !

@Froq

I can either print it out and copy it onto a sheet of paper. I must write my address on it and date it and time it.

So for example if I fill one in at 2pm, saying I'm going out for groceries, and the police stop me at 5pm without any groceries and 5km from my house, they will fine me...

OP, my youngest has SNs, so I’m not comfortable leaving her at home by herself, when I walk the dog. Under those circumstances, do you know if I can take her with me? She’s an adult.

Ps Tgank you for doing this and I hope the precautions help your country.

@HopeYouStepOnALego yes there is transportation but less of it... I can imagine that for situations like foreign nationals flying back out of the country, it will be possible to organize taxis etc. Good luck !

I'm in France as well, there were a lot of rumours going around before the restrictions were actually announced, (rumours were about 45 days, one person per family allowed out of house only etc), so I think people were rather relieved that the government was relatively reasonable. I'm personally very relieved that outside exercise is still OK, and you can also walk the dogs together with DC (of course, not allowed to meet up with other dog walkers).

The biggest newspaper QA pages say that biking and jogging is also fine, as long as you don't do it in groups and keep away from others, no visits to parks or similar.

You are allowed to drive to work and for purposes of care of relatives or children.
Shops are well stocked at least where I live, and I'm in the middle of the worst affected area.
I have children and they are totally fine - weather is lovely, we have a garden, it's like holidays for them.

@Pineapple75 We were given notice before the measures came into effect to allow people to do this (and I imagine that the police will still be lenient about this sort of thing today) !

Can you buy petrol?

Thanks so much for this info, it’s reassuring.

Are the rules in place immediately from the announcement or from a few days etc?

What will happen once the two weeks is up?

@Confusedasusual78 Yes in France I think that you would be able to go out in wide spaces with the people that you are under lockdown with.

Driving around for the sake of it I am not sure... The extent to which things are enforced may vary depending on how built up the area is ?

And yes you can go to your place of work and come home.

Can you go to the beach? (I’m thinking wide open spaces for fresh air?) think they’re in the process of perhaps stopping that here at present.

the announcement was at 8PM last night and measures from noon today, so you would still have had time to move to a different location or similar.

@Seventyone72seventy3 I completely get what you're saying, it was similar here !

I get the impression that people agree, at least amongst my friends/colleagues. We know that it's for the greater good and to ensure that hospitals can take care of the people that need intensive care without having to make choices... The media is probably reinforcing that message too !

@T0tallyFuckedUpFamily Under the rules in France you could definitely take her out as you would both be in the same house anyway. You just couldn't meet up with other people.

@KatharinaRosalie Yes definitely, relief here too.

Take care and enjoy the break and the weather !

@YoursTunbridgeWells Petrol stations are open so yes if you need to get petrol you can !

Sorry should I have been clear - for those living in rural areas petrol is to get to shops! That was thepoint og my question. Keep safe

In France too, but the countryside.
I filled up the car yesterday and topped up on some fresh food and some long terms couscous, pulses etc. No loo roll shortage.
People were not panicking, but the mood felt sad.
Big plexiglass screens at check out.
I noticed the cashiers were being changed very regularly.
None of them wearing masks, but many wearing gloves.

A friend went this morning and posted on FB there were gendarmes posted at the door of the supermarket and it was one in, one out.

Thank you OP. Other than one outing, she has been in the house for three weeks. She’s coping ok, but I’m worried about her lack of exercise and risk of a clot, due to her meds. Actually that must be a serious concern for our elderly here. Exercise is essential for many of them.

Thanks OP I have to say although I don't have any questions of my own, just reading your replies is actually very calming and reassuring especially regards shops and their supplies.

A small part of me just wants lockdown to happen now as it feels inevitable and the waiting is awful.

Thanks again, keep safe

@Confusedasusual78

So far announcements have left time for people to adapt. For example last night's announcement (8PM) came into effect today noon.
We have been anticipating anyway, with all the rumors flying around like the ones mentioned by @KatharinaRosalie !

@YoursTunbridgeWells Yes definitely if you need petrol to get to shops you can go and fill up :-)

@FizzyLimes Take care ! Interesting to hear about the plexiglass screens, I haven't seen any yet... But yes lots of gloves

Thank you for starting this thread.

Are you still able to buy fresh fruit and veg?

@T0tallyFuckedUpFamily You're welcome ! Yes exercise was a big worry here too. It was a relief when Macron announced that we would be allowed out to go and exercise. Take care, this will go through :-)