Here's a copy of the permit that allows people in France to travel or move about despite the government order that such movements be limited as a measure to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). It's a sworn statement you are required to fill out and sign to declare on your honor that the purpose of your travel (
déplacement) is one of the authorized& exceptions to the rule banning travel by checking the box that applies. The word
dérogatoire means something like "by exception" or "by special dispensation." I've been told that gendarmes have been stopping cars around Saint-Aignan and requesting to see the sworn declaration.
The allowed exceptions to the stay-at-home order are:
- Commuting to your workplace when telecommuting is impossible, or other unavoidable travel for professional reasons
- Going out to seek medical care or assistance
- Going out to shop for essential groceries and supplies
- Unavoidable travel having to do with providing assistance to family members in need or to arrange or ensure child care
- Brief outings in the vicinity of your legal residence for purposes of physical exercise (excluding team sports) or walking pets
The final exception to the travel ban implies that we need to have this sworn statement on our persons when we take Tasha out for her daily walks, but since we walk in the vineyard we haven't so far been doing so. We haven't yet seen any
gendarmes out there or in our hamlet.
I doubt that any of the tens of thousands of revelers on Florida's beaches last week would have been impressed by or willing to adhere to a requirement such as the document you shared on today's post. I learned about it yesterday when Face Timing with our mutual friend in Paris. With notable exceptions, the overall response to the virus in the US has been woefully inadequate.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor of Massachusetts where I live just announced that for the next two weeks only food stores, medical services (pharmacies, hospitals, etc.), package or liquor stores, and medical marijuana stores can remain open. I believe Massachusetts is the 9th state to impose these or similar restrictions. Leadership in Washington apparently isn't prepared to take on the dirty work to control spread of the virus.
DeleteLiquor stores ??? Do you macerate toilet paper in alcohol to make efficient masks?
DeleteApparently, alcohol is a very effective way to kill the virus.
DeleteApplied topically or internally?
DeleteA little bit of both can't hurt.
DeleteI saw a copy of this in my French Teachers in the U.S. FB group--of course, there are also memes going around, with photos of dogs walking on a leash, with this paper in their mouths, and the like -- ha!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you two-- restrictions in place here, now, too, in St. Louis... we don't have a form, but St. Louis County (suburbs) and St. Louis City, are under these kinds of restrictions, as of today.
They say dogs and cats don't carry or transmit the virus. Tasha and I had a close encounter with a deer this morning. I wonder if deer carry it.
DeleteI understand you need one of these forms for each person each time you leave the house. In which case there should be a sixth category; to buy more ink and paper to print these forms.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure ink cartridges and printer paper are included in the achats de première nécessité category. Everything, including wine and liquor, is sold at the supermarché, after all.
DeleteBecause neither Mireille nor Joelle have computers or printers, I looked up what to do and found somewhere (Le Monde maybe) that you can handwrite your pass on whatever paper you have available. Did I read that correctly?
ReplyDeleteYes, you did, but without a device with which to get to the internet, I'm not sure how you get the text to copy by hand. Maybe it's been printed in the newspapers — if you can get one of those.
DeleteOnly essential businesses are open here in LA. All restaurants, bars, etc. closed. There is a more amateur looking form for the same purpose in CA. In a confidence-instilling move, the stores on Rodeo Drive (Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston and so on) removed all their merchandise from top to bottom, completely emptied.
ReplyDeleteI guess they think looting might be a problem.
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