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 !

Thanks @MickeyMouae199

Lots of FB groups about homeschooling. Most mums tearing their hair out by 10.30am!
Tabacs are exempt, as well.

We’re in a popular 2nd home / tourist area. Will be interesting to see if the townies turn up!

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz One of the worse moments here was probably yesterday when we knew that there would be an announcement but we didn't know what would be announced...
It was quite a relief in the end to finally know how things were going to work out.

You're welcome and take care too !

Isn’t really important, just out of curiosity, do television shows still run and the internet all ok?

Obviously is ok as you’re on it 🙈but will things change?

Have they frozen mortgages/bills etc? Sorry, question overload!

Supermarkets are open and well stocked, and you are allowed to go grocery shopping. No problem with fresh fruit and vegetables.

@Pogmella In France such journeys are allowed ! I should have mentioned it when mentioning the form :-) Split parents can continue dropping kids off/picking them up.

Thank you for starting this thread, @MickeyMouae199. Is Sunday Mass still a big thing, and did lockdown for gatherings at places of worship start before today?

@Madcats Yes there is plenty of it !

TV and internet are fine. Everyone is on Facebook!
I actually have UK freeview via satellite so I’m watching more UK new, and France24 for French news ( in English).

Lots of chatter last night comparing Boris’s press conference “ bumbling idiot” to Macron “Statesmanlike”.

My mum lives in Cazal but is still a British citizen. She has been trying to get back here since saturday. She is currently booked on the Eurostar for wednesday morning. They arent going to lock that down are they? Ive had no contact with her since sunday night and am quite worried.

Is there any rationing of food to prevent stockpiling?

What if you are shopping for someone else too (e.g. elderly neighbour)

I'm in France too, thanks for starting this thread.

Do you think the measures will really only last for 2 weeks? I think maybe it's just to get us used to the idea, can't really see it being for such a short period when you look at how things are in Italy.

My dad lives in a touristy area (in France too) which is usually deserted in winter and is now chocka, supermarkets sold out of pasta, etc. We think maybe people have come to stay in second homes etc. because there aren't usually enough people in the local area to empty a supermarket even if they wanted to!

Thanks for the calm thread. It’s the not knowing about school closures in the UK I’m finding most difficult.

I haven't seen any rationing because (at least in my area in Grand Est) there has not been stockpiling or shortages.

@Confusedasusual78 Internet and TV and fine here too ! And it should stay like that.

With regards to mortgages etc, lots of measures have been introduced to help companies and individuals ! I haven't looked into the details though.

I'm in France as well.

I have primary age kids and the schools have been very organised. There are online resources, although to be fair some are crashing currently under the weight of the numbers of people trying to use them, but the teachers have also been in touch with homework and will correct work over email. Friends who have high school children report that some teachers are going all out with online classes and other teachers have disappeared (perhaps some people are sick, I don't know).

I live in Ireland and the rumour mill is in overdrive here about lockdown.
I live in a rural area between a village and Shannon tiwn with it's airport - if blockades are set up I'm not sure how far we will be allowed to travel - do you know how it works rurally in France? Thank you - stay safe 🧡

How are postal deliveries being affected, will you still be receiving mail and parcels as usual?

@Tana433 There is a move to slowly have less transport but for now the country seems to be trying to get foreigners home (that want to go home).They aren't cancelling everything overnight.
The situation must be worrying for you though....Fingers crossed for your mum.

Wow I didn't imagine this thread taking off ! I'm going to try and get some work done, I'll be back later :-)

Thankyou, just want her home now. And thanks for replying. Take care.

What does the rest of the world think about the UKs lax approach to the virus?

Oh i am in france as well, in south. In supermarket yesterday in the morning and very quiet and fully stocked , even had hand gel. Will neec my paper when i go out but i am planing on staying put as much as i can. Family in others countries and very worried about them. Mum in spain and she is not sure exactly what is happening.

I'm in Ireland too. My sister and her family drove to a forest where there are walking trails so herself and her three young children could get some fresh air and exercise. They saw a walking group in high vis vests set off in one direction in groups of 5 and in one case a group of ten!!