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 !

This is a crazy question - but my son’s birthday is coming up and I don’t know if I should get his gifts now? The thought of him having nothing makes me very sad. Are delivery companies (I mean amazon) still working? His birthday is end of May.

@Butterbear86 I think the delivery companies are still trying to work, for now at least

@WindFlower92 The supermarkets were a bit busy over the past few days. Maybe even a bit frantic in some parts of France but not where I am.
I haven't sensed any anger, but definitely sadness after the announcements.

@Karwomannghia I know close friends who have most of the symptoms. I know of people who have had it and been tested but they don't seem to be testing except when the symptoms get really severe

The rules are here @Pogmella

My friend flew to Geneva then drove to France on Saturday. We havent been able to get in contact since. The were due to make the return journey the same way in 2 weeks. I know you cant tell what will happen in two weeks but at the moment would driving across the border to Geneva be possible?

@PeterPanGoesWrong Panicked no, possibly a bit "numb". But it will definitely get better :-)

@Racheyg It might depend on the nature of the appointment. I've had some non urgent medical appointments cancelled as have many other people. Any elective surgery in hospitals has been postponed. I don't know about dentistry.

But doctors are still open to deal with emergencies or any things that can't be postponed

Hi op, are you only allowed out to jog then!
Am I going to have to turn into a jogger?

Are families allowed out for walks alone in socially distant places eg country side, woods, no play areas

@Ventilatorshortage
Walks are allowed too of course ! I'm not sure about things like cycling though

Wondeful.

Thank you.. Has it been asked whether you know the hospitals are OK? Are the managing or swamped, any shortage of ventilators?

Apparently smaller hospitals in the east of France are struggling a bit (but tbh it doesn't sound any worse than in the NHS). Cases are not spread evenly around the country - we have had only one case in our département. In the early stages the epidemic was mainly related to a religious gathering in Mulhouse hence the geographical concentration on the east side of the country.

Walking and cycling are allowed as long as you do it alone and near your house. I’m pretty sure if you lived near the beach and everyone started going to the beach, that would not be allowed.

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

Thank you for this enlightening thread.

Oh and this is the mass text we got

It reads

Covid alert 19
The President of the Republic has announced strict rules that you must respect to fight the spread of the virus and save lives. Outings are authorized with a certificate and only for your work, if telecommuting is not possible, your health or your essential errands. All information on www.gouvernement.fr

@serene12

I'm sure your brother won't have a problem. There is no issue with people leaving - just coming in. Lots of my friends have gone in the last couple of days and are reporting no problems. If he wanted to fly out via Switzerland, then the douaniers would want to see his plane ticket.
We are leaving Friday and we will make up our picnic, print off our reservation, fill in our downloadable form and set off. Reports say the roads are empty and it is an easy run north. I would be tempted to take spare fuel in case not all the service stations are open, but if he leaves the motorway near any decent town he can buy fuel at the 24/7 pumps at the supermarkets. (The only reason we may take spare fuel is incase we have a problem in the UK - it sounds like Armageddon there.

You won't have a problem with fuel in the UK. It's not armageddon here at all really. Everyone is worried, and supermarkets are more busy than usual, but mostly we are having to go about our daily lives as normal. I'm school staff. It's great that schools are staying open in France for the children of healthcare workers, but who is minding the children of the school staff who are also still working? Or are they allowed to come into school too?

@MickeyMouae199

Thank you 💐

Thanks @MickeyMouae199

I'm sure we will be where you are in a few weeks time

Are you allowed to go to the post office?

Have any places had power cuts?

@Luckystar777

I don't know for sure about post offices - but no power cuts - and I don't think there will be any - a lot of energy heavy industries are shut - so if anything there should be less pressure on the grid.

Are you told how long you are likely to be in lock down?

When you say you're allowed use your car to travel to work, does your job have to be essential? My job is non essential but for a company who WILL stay open in the event of a lock down. I am not comfortable that they are still making me go in. Would a lock down mean I would be better protected?

If you go to work because you can't work from home and schools are closed. Who looks after the kids?!