FRENCH REGIONS HAVE BEEN HEARD AND WILL PLAY THEIR FULL PART IN LOCKDOWN LIFTING

USPA NEWS - By presenting the national deconfinement strategy, the Prime Minister responded to most requests from the Regions on the gradual resumption of economic life from May 11. “The Prime Minister has set a clear course. I wanted a calendar, a method, and differentiation. In addition, Edouard Philippe added the concept of progressiveness. It is therefore a loosening of confinement that begins, and life will resume its course in stages. We must now all be united against COVID-19. All the French are mobilized, responsible, and will fight to regain their freedoms. The next step has been set for June 2, and it will be major, "reacts Renaud Muselier, President of Regions of France, after the speech of Edouard Philippe at the National Assembly. The Regions, which have acted since the beginning of the crisis as responsible and agile public actors, understand the government's prudence on the implementation of deconfinement from May 11, with a national framework and differentiation according to the Departments.

The Regions take note of the State´s commitment to a sufficient supply of masks and tests for May 11. In this context, they will play their role in supporting the supply of masks for the economic fabric and, in particular, very small businesses in the framework of the purchasing centers they have set up. However, the Regions regret that hotels, cafes and restaurants cannot reopen before June 2 in the “green“ departments, where the virus is very little present. The Regions call for the fastest possible publication of the guides and job sheets planned to reorganize working life. These guides must specify the legal responsibility of employers so that it is not an obstacle to recovery.---------------------------------------------------------------------- For social, sporting and cultural activities, the Regions welcome the fact that clear rules have been given, even if the economic cost will be high. They will pay particular attention to supporting these sectors which are essential for our local economy. Regarding high schools whose possible reopening is postponed to a decision at the end of May, the Regions want a working meeting to take place quickly with the Minister of National Education to assess the meaning of a reopening as close to the end of the school year, as well as the specifics of vocational high schools.------------------------------------------------------- As transport organizing authorities, the Regions take note of the wearing of masks in regional public transport, the maintenance of all barrier gestures and the principle of social distancing, the standard of which must be clarified. The Regions are also awaiting details on the nature of the restrictions on interregional, or even interdepartmental, flows, given the reality of the mobility needs observed in many employment areas at interregional scales. The decision to maintain a social distance in school transport, particularly complex in its organization, the offer of which is not extendable (one third of pupils normally take regular lines) and the fact of organizing a service offer that meets the needs of families presuppose very great anticipation and confirmation of upstream coordination with the academic authorities department by department. It is only by confirming these principles that the Regions can do what is necessary to be there as well. Source : Regions of France