Categories: Global

Paris Boulevards Deserted as Lockdown Claims Christmas Shopping Trade

Boarded-up windows outside flagship branches of department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps bore testimony on Saturday to the impact of a COVID-19 lockdown in Paris.

On what would usually be a busy weekend for Christmas shopping, only handfuls of people were out on Boulevard Haussmann, where the stores are located.

“It’s sad. We are outside Galeries Lafayette and everything is closed,” said one would-be shopper, Emmanuelle Tiger. “They’ve put up (shop window) lights. That’s great, but we don’t feel the Christmas spirit at all.”

Under the lockdown, in force since the end of October in the capital and other large cities, people must stay indoors apart from trips to buy food or other essential goods, or for a brief hour of exercise.

France has the seventh-highest COVID-19 toll in the world, with almost 44,000 fatalities, and the government has said it may extend the lockdown beyond Dec. 1, when it is due to end, if infection rates do not fall.

“Our fight against the epidemic involves all of us and the next few days will be decisive,” wrote President Emmanuel Macron on Twitter on Saturday.

Some on the Boulevard were hopeful the measures would be eased in time for Christmas.

“I think they will open one or two weeks before… and we’ll do our Christmas shopping then,” said Aymeric Lenain.

Reuters

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

8 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

13 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

15 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

16 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

16 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

16 hours ago