As soon as the new life rules came into play it made for interesting times, life then started to change more and more as the restrictions continued to come in and yet there was still a feeling of being able to move on to an extent with freedoms not totally abolished and for the better good.
After that first evening, every day businesses were told to close to the public and if you could manage to work from home that was the best option.
One of the main attractions the Cote d'Azur is known for is our stunning surrounding landscapes with the precious blue Mediterranean sea lapping against the long coastline. People were just getting used to the closures and overall limitations, so naturally they headed towards the beaches.
You could sense there were people nervous about what was happening and already worried about their future while others decided to treat the invisible Covid-19 like a bit of a reason to holiday.
Which at the time meant too many people were gathering at the various beaches and not staying inside so soon after those in authority barred everyone from going near any of the beaches but depending on where you live one could still see, smell and hear the waves hitting the shore. There still was life even if the blue waters were so close but yet so far away.
For weeks now people have gotten used to filling out the (previously hand written or printed off) online attestation form on their smartphone before leaving their residence so that if stopped by the police they can scan the code it produces. Some of the current restrictions are: limited exercise to an hour outside every day and within a 1km radius of your home and only within certain hours.
And some cities quickly enacted curfews anywhere from 7pm to 6am. Wear a mask if possible, social distance and staying home are the main rules.
Basically now we will continue to be under confinement until May 11th as what we are doing as citizens is working which means we also currently will not have any new restrictions. After that date, a very small select number of schools and businesses will be allowed to re-open.
Further to that Macron said,"May 11 will be the start of a new phase. It will be progressive and the rules can be adapted according to our results."
So again, it's a day by day issue but easily handled.
One thing that seems to have stood out for us in the luxury industry, this is the time of year businesses are really ramping up for high season with the adrenaline going. Even the so called luxury lifestyle gurus would be making plans to head this way, getting in contact, trying to make their mark, grab a piece of the pie so to speak and attempt to make some quick cash in the region. You can see them coming from a mile away.
