The 6 p.m. curfew? In Lyon, this does not disturb the little habits of this group of friends from the 1is borough. “We live within a radius of 300 meters and we meet every weekend at one or the other for a long drink or dinner,” says Candice. At the time of the 8 p.m. curfew, we would meet just before the fateful time. And, to get home, in less than two minutes, little chance of crossing a police check. Some people have, however, already been terrified by seeing the police leaving their hosts. But it was enough for them to turn back quickly.
It obviously takes more to cool the ardor of this band of forty years who created a WhatsApp group to organize their happy evenings. “The advance of the curfew at 6 pm has not changed our habits,” admits Candice. And no question for her to give up celebrating her birthday with friends. So she did not hesitate to send out the invitations on Saturday evening to celebrate the event. “We are deprived of restaurants, bars, shows, outings, trips … These small dinners with friends are the last moments of conviviality that remain to us”, pleads the teacher.
READ ALSOCovid-19: these figures which show that the epidemic is progressing everywhere
Well-filled agenda
However, she does not plan to organize a simple snack between 4 and 6 p.m. to comply with sanitary measures. No, it is a question of organizing a real birthday party with a dozen people from 8 pm, and until late at night. The first couple invited had a full agenda: they were invited to another dinner in the neighborhood. Eventually, he cancels to go to the birthday party. Two other couples of friends-neighbors of Croix-Rousse, this neighborhood which had already braved the demands of spring confinement, are on the guest list. Candice can count on them, they will be there. The organizer added two more couples of friends to her list, but they do not live in the area. More difficult, therefore, to come on the sly. “We hesitated a bit,” admit Camille and Raphaël, who live on 3e arrondissement, “but, as Candice offered to stay and sleep at her place, we quickly made up our minds”.
At 6 p.m. sharp, these two are already ringing the bell at their host’s door. As for the last couple of guests, living in the 6e district, he finally gave up going out. “We are not afraid of the Covid,” explains Charlotte. We already had it, but I really don’t see which box to tick on the certificate to justify this night out. “The fear of the gendarme …
See you next weekend
At 8 pm, the ten friends are finally reunited, determined to have fun. And that, obviously without guilt. “We have already had the Covid”, defend Olivier and Laura. “We finally always find ourselves between us, little risk of spreading the virus outside,” pleads for her part another guest, who understands that, in some countries, officially declared groups of ten people have the right to continue their social life between them.
Around 1 a.m., after a drunken evening, it’s time to go our separate ways. After having verified, through the window, that the way was clear, that no police check was organized in the vicinity, each one goes home. A few minutes later, the WhatsApp group is already crackling. Everyone arrived safely, without police checks. And an appointment is already made for next weekend.
–
