Val-d’Oise: the mask now compulsory on all open-air markets

It becomes compulsory from this Monday on all the markets of Val-d’Oise. The prefecture has just extended its first decree making it compulsory to wear a mask. Any offender will be punished with a fine of 135 €.

Since August 10, this was already the rule for some fifty towns located under the Cergy-Roissy axis – the most urbanized area – a large part of the agglomeration of Cergy-Pontoise, the whole of the Val- Parisis, Argenteuil, Sarcelles, Goussainville, Méry-sur-Oise and Ézanville.

But the prefecture’s project excluded cities like Persan, Beaumont-sur-Oise, Auvers-sur-Oise or even L’Isle-Adam.

“We are forced to take orders”

In the latter municipality, the rule was already widely respected. This Sunday morning, a traditional market day, the holidays are still very visible. The crowd is sparse in the hall, where the wearing of a mask is compulsory, and all the places for shops are not occupied outside.

The expansion of regulations has not escaped the notice of any outside trader. “It’s a good thing, it will prevent us from the risks associated with Covid,” said Caroline, a ready-to-wear saleswoman. It is first and foremost a question of respect. The French are unruly. We are forced to take orders because it will not come by itself. Fortunately here, the wearing of the mask is generally respected outside. “

For the mayor, “at least it’s clearer like that”

An observation easy to see and shared by all those interviewed, including the mayor (LR) Sébastien Poniatowski. “Wearing a mask is compulsory in the hall and recommended outside,” recalls the elected representative of this city of 12,000 inhabitants after some shopping. We asked ourselves the question of extending it outside, but we did not consider it necessary since people wear the mask. But at least it’s clearer that way. I am in favor of the simplest and most uniform rules possible. “

“From the start, it should have been like that,” argues Élisabeth, scoop. This would have made it easier for traders and avoided them sometimes having to police. But in France, we only work with the sanction. It’s like speed cameras. Wearing a mask is still much more respected here than in Argenteuil, where I live. “For Christophe, who came to buy some vegetables and meat for the midday meal, it” won’t change much in [ses] personal habits ”.

“Whether inside or outside the market, I keep the mask,” explains this forty-something. I’m not going to spend my time putting it on and taking it off. We can all make the effort for a few minutes. Extending the wearing of compulsory masks to the entire market is clearer. “

“We have the impression of a double standard”

Not far outside, Florence is not wearing the mask. “I take advantage of it,” explains this seller of kitchen utensils. I have until tomorrow, there is not a concentration of people at this moment and I am a smoker. »Her husband Willy, who takes care of the shoe part, wears the mask but without conviction. “It becomes a habit by force of circumstance but it’s not a pleasure, sighs this fifty-something. It feels like a double standard. This Sunday evening for the football match (PSG-Bayern Munich), not everyone will wear a mask… ”