CAFES, RESTAURANTS IN PARIS REOPENING AFTER LOCKDOWN
Outside seating allowed but indoor tables closed until at least June 22
Parisians who have been cooped up for months with takeout food and coffee can savor their steak tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more — albeit in smaller numbers.
The city famed for its vibrant cafe society and coffee culture got some of its pre-lockdown life back as cafes and restaurants partially reopened Tuesday.
Paris City Hall authorized the use of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22.
French President Emmanuel Macron struck a note of optimism about the small step.
“The reopening of cafes, hotels and restaurants marks the return of happy days!” he tweeted, added that “the state will continue to support this sector.”
Up and down the popular Rue
Montorgueil, few wore masks and dozens flocked to terraces for lunch in the sun.
Fiona Taieb, manager of the local Cevicheria fish restaurant, said she felt hopeful that this partial re-opening could help restaurants after the sluggish start to the year. “We’re hoping the French feel like going out, and enjoy themselves and forget about these difficult times,” she said.
Social distancing rules require about 3 feet between tables, reducing the numbers. For the city well-known for its tiny chairs and fashionably small 20-inch round tables that often touch, this will lower capacity in some outside areas by over half.
To help matters, Paris City Hall is now allowing restaurateurs to enlarge their outside areas or create one without the normal legal red tape until Sept. 30. To do this, they will have to sign a charter promising to respect “pedestrian traffic, the cleanliness of the premises, safety or even noise reduction vis-a-vis residents.”
Adamson and Camus write for The Associated Press.