Like myself, many of us are curious and concerned about Uzès on COVID-19 lock down. Fortunately my friend and travel companion, Paula, is safe and well in Uzès, and she’s willing to give us a view of life as it is now. So far, from this early stage, there are no known fatalities from the virus in Uzès. The Gard region, however, has reported two deaths as of Sunday.
Paula and her little dog, Toby, are well-known in Uzès, even though they are relative newcomers. Their frequent walks around town, and the fact that Paula is an American from the South, mean they never meet a stranger.
Here’s Paula’s report on Uzès as of last week, along with photos.
Uzès on COVID-19 Lock Down
“Despite everything, we had our weekly Wednesday market, small but wonderful. Everyone was very conscious about distances. The first Saturday under lock down was a bit busier….
Saturday is always the busiest day of the week….large weekly market, cafes booming customers throughout the day, people shopping. In lock down world, the market was greatly reduced, cafes closed, no shopping…in fact, no people.
It’s as it should be, and I’m thankful we still have the markets, but it’s all a bit melancholy.”
Here’s a report of the measures taken by the Municipality after the crisis unit met Friday, March 20:
– The Jean Macé school group is open 7 days a week from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm to welcome the children of caregivers from 3 to 11 years old (possibility of 5 schoolchildren maximum).
– 0 to 3 year olds are currently oriented towards childminders. The Uzès crèche could also open.
– A room is open at the old hospital (1 avenue Maréchal Foch) with on-call doctors and nurses to accommodate up to 25 patients (Diagnostics, orientation, care and if necessary, transfer to hospitals).
– The Uzès town hall has announced its intention to buy € 50,000 in masks. Same measure for CCPU. A local carrier is ready to deliver.
– The market of tomorrow Saturday in Uzès will be reserved for food, the fairgrounds will be made aware of the precautionary rules which must be respected under penalty of cancellation of the next markets.
– Lara Mauger, president of Dynamiques confirms the system that the association has put in place to help people with difficulties doing their shopping.
– Romain Garrido, captain of the gendarmerie confirms tolerance 0 for non-essential outings and indicates that a prefectural order will ban walks and picnics in the Eure valley.
– The municipal police and the inter-municipal police are also required to carry out these checks.
The crisis unit will now meet by videoconference.
Bravo Uzès for caring for your residents!
Thank you, Paula, for your “feet and paws on the street” update. Please, stay safe!
Categories: Around France, Blog, Uzès
Thank you for this, Deborah. We are a British couple who bought a lovely little cottage on the outskirts of Uzès just over a year ago. Last year we came for a few days every month and thought we had found heaven. Our last visit was the weekend before lockdown and now of course we have no idea when we can visit again. Of course so many people at the moment have far worse things to worry about than when they can visit their French second home so we really must not be self indulgent! We are lucky that we have kept well, touch wood. But we do so hope that we can be back in Uzès again before too long, and that all the lovely people we have met there, and all the shops, cafés and restaurants we so love visiting, survive this unprecedented time. Uzès me manque!