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 !

@MyBlueMoonbeam I'm in a rural area in France and no blockades so far, but lockdown has only been in place since lunchtime so maybe they will set them up later, but nothing has been said about it as far as I know. Perhaps it will depend on how much people follow the rules.

Here is a copy of the form if anyone is interested -it's pretty simple.

@Kimbaland I’m in Portugal, not France, but from the majority of the people I know, they are really shocked about the uk approach, as am I as I have my parents, family, friends there etc, I’m really worried.

THere haven't been any discussions of blocades. Just honour system and that you have to be able to justify your trips.

There are many establishments allowed to stay open. Supermarkets, bakeries, banks, car repairs, computer repairs, doctors and vets etc etc.

There is also quite a big debate on whether "cavistes" wine shops count as essential shops that can stay open.

www.liberation.fr/checknews/2020/03/15/covid-19-les-cavistes-font-ils-partie-des-commerces-de-premiere-necessite_1781734?hash=c0f8b2c4-9f37-425c-bd01-22543bcd1485&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook#Echobox=1584278771

Thank you for this thread. Two questions. 1) Have you been to your local boulangerie, and if so, are stock levels and opening times as normal? 2) Possibly not applicable if you live in a city, but here goes: if you have a garden that's not attached to your house are you allowed to go there, perhaps if you check the "exercise" box on the form? I realise this question may be unanswerable until some poor sod gets fined en route to plant some pommes de terre!

Are people being allowed to move house? There's obviously worse things going on at the moment but I've started wondering if our pending house move will go ahead. Especially once we've exchanged and legally obligated to complete.

I’m in rural SW France. Postal deliveries are operating as normal atm, but will be reviewed if staffing levels drop. Very quiet here, I can hear noticeably less traffic on the roads. Will visit the local (small) shop tomorrow so will see what happens!
I am fortunate that I have a large garden, so am able to exercise my 2 med sized dogs on my own land. They have had to get used to fewer, shorter walks, more garden time, as I have bad arthritis and can’t take them too far. No complaints from them! However, they are getting due for their annual haircut, and all groomers are closed, so if it goes on too long I will be the proud possessor of 2 yeti...

Are you allowed to exercise? Been under lockdown in Spain since Saturday and exercising outdoors isn't allowed.

What do you think about the fact that schools in the UK are open? I have a relative in France who can’t believe they haven’t closed.

Another one in rural SW. Waves

@BirdandSparrow going out for exercise is fine as long as you are by yourself and don't venture too far from home (how far is too far is unclear)

@Charlottejbt our local baker was open as usual this morning. I asked them if they would stay open and they said that this week was fine but they expected to be given different instructions next week.

It's all very new and as we are very rural I am not expecting to see many checkpoints round here...but who knows?

Are you optimistic?

Here in the UK alot of us are not, largely because of Boris Johnson's handling of the situation, or lack of.

I've been bracing myself for a lockdown but can't see it coming quick enough. Many folk are objecting to staying inside already (My partner being one of them) and the instruction has yet to be given.

Aaw thanks OP - we've got a family place in SW France and tbh I want to run away from here as would much rather seeit out in France, but your thread is helping me realise it's not as romantic as I thought. Although does sound more civilised than here (and I'd much rather Macron than Boris leading me onwards)

Courage

Have all your childcare facilities closed down? Both larger nurseries and smaller work from their own home childminders? No one is saying what will happen in the UK with regard to childcare as obviously front line staff (nhs, police, fire etc) May still need to access this.

Have all non essential jobs been stopped for now or are businesses still going if staff have to go to the place of work (eg warehouse/factories)?

@BirdandSparrow going out for exercise is fine as long as you are by yourself and don't venture too far from home (how far is too far is unclear) Jealous. We can't go out for exercise. The kids haven't been out since Friday evening. Anywhere.

I was going to ask about childcare for healthcare/other essential workers. We are both NHS workers and our backup childcare involves sharing care with other NHS families. Is this allowed under lockdown? And yes to anyone about to rip me to shreds, of course I understand the implications of not completely isolating. However I also understand the implications of so many healthcare staff not being able to work.

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

Insane.

However I’m currently watching the U.K. health select committee and the doctors and scientists are giving good answers

I'm also in Southern France - for those in Italy and Spain (?) who aren't allowed out for exercise, have a look on Youtube for plenty of options of home workouts, they're fantastic and have been doing them for years, very effective and some leave you very sweaty if that's what you're looking for :)

It is my understanding childcare for essential workers (health care etc) is still organised.

What would you advise is a must do before lock down? I’d like to be as prepared as possible.

Does anybody know what is happening in Spain or Italy if you have a dog? Especially if you live in a flat or similar?

Must do before a lock down:

If I’d know, I would have got more diy stuff as I have a building project
Make sure you’ve got enough for the kids to do.
I’ve bought basics such as flour and yeast in case I need to make bread; pizza.
Get a chest freezer

Also in SW France 👋. Childcare provisions have been made for essential personnel. Everything else is closed down. Everyone who can work from home should, but you can still travel to work, it’s one of the points on the list.

Lots of emails from companies saying their stores are closing, but online still available. Factories are closing, my friend’s closed last night for minimum of 14 days.

Teachers are busy putting lessons on line, so they’re still working! My own lessons are being moved to a virtual classroom that I’ll have to get to grips with (whilst avoiding bbc interview scenarios).

Amongst my friends they’re taking it fairly philosophically, but most people don’t believe it will be a 14 day lockdown, they expect it to be longer.

What happens if you have a home emergency, like a leak or boiler fail? Are plumbers etc still working and available?

Macron also offered free taxis for HCP along with free hotel accommodation if needed.

He’s also suspended utility bills for businesses/ people affected by the lockdown.