Like myself, many of us are curious and concerned about Uzès during the COVID-19 lockdown. Fortunately, my friend and travel companion, Paula, is safe and well in Uzès and 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, our weekly Wednesday market was small but excellent. Everyone was very conscious about distances. The first Saturday under lockdown was a bit busier…
Saturday is always the busiest day of the week…. a sizeable weekly market, cafes booming customers, and people shopping. In a lockdown world, the market was significantly reduced, cafes closed, there was no shopping, and there were 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 on 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).
– Children from 0 to 3 years old 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. The same measure is for CCPU. A local carrier is ready to deliver.
– The market tomorrow, Saturday, in Uzès, will be reserved for food, and the fairgrounds will be made aware of the precautionary rules which must be respected under penalty of cancellation of the following markets.
– Lara Mauger, president of Dynamiques, confirms the system the association has put in place to help people with difficulties 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 via videoconference.
Bravo, Uzès, for caring for your residents!
Thank you, Paula, for your “feet and paws on the street” update. Please stay safe!
