(Info l’Est-Eclair) The prefect of Aube has decided to close, as of this evening and for at least two weeks, the Pont-Sainte-Marie brand center. A choice that follows the placement of our department under reinforced surveillance due to the growth of the Covid-19 epidemic in recent days.
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McArthurGlen is closing its doors this Friday evening. The prefect of Aube decided this Friday, via a decree, to close the Pont-Sainte-Marie brand centeruntil Sunday March 21 inclusive, at least.
A choice which follows the placement under reinforced surveillance of our department Thursday evening by Jean Castex, due to the increase in the circulation of the virus on the territory.
Population mixing
As a reminder, the Prime Minister said Thursday evening that non-food shopping centers over 10,000 m2 would not be allowed to open in the 23 departments concerned and that the prefects could prohibit access to the premises ” too busy ».
Or, McArthurGlen covers nearly 27,000 m2. However, the Maripontain site is open to the outside. An element that had enabled it to continue to welcome its customers during the government’s previous turn of the screw at the end of January, which then targeted shopping centers of more than 20,000 m2. An argument which, in the context of the acceleration of the epidemic and with the new gauge of 10,000 m2 set by Jean Castex, is no longer sufficient in the eyes of the government. This despite the measures introduced by the stores to better control the flow of customers and ensure compliance with sanitary measures.
The State also justifies its decision by invoking the attractiveness of the Aube brand center which goes far beyond the borders of the department. A mixing of population that the executive wants to stem.
Hard blow for the brand center
If the sales ended Tuesday, March 2, the closure of the site remains a hard blow for the center and its stores, after confinements and curfews.
To note than Bricorama, the DIY store of Saint-André-les-Vergers, which exceeds 10,000 m2 (approx. 11,000 m2), remains open. Information confirmed by one of its leaders this Friday. Its attractiveness does not go beyond the borders of the Aube and the store is open to the outdoors over nearly 5,000 m2 for its garden-building part.
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