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French Municipal Election to push through amid coronavirus concerns

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Mary Anne Alcantara-Rivera, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/overseas/03/14/france.jpg"/><figcaption>The municipal election in France will push through despite concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mary Anne Alcantara-Rivera, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div> The Health Ministry has canceled thousands of events in France, including cultural, sports and musical, schools and tourist sites due to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But its municipal elections will push through, with the first round set on Sunday, March 15, and the second round on March 22. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s televised speech Thursday evening, he assured the public that voting precincts set precautionary measures to avoid contamination. Voting materials have been sent by post to voters, they just need to bring it on Election Day and were advised to bring their own pens.Fil-French Zita Cabais, who resides in the Municipality of Saint Denis, a Paris suburb, and a first time voter, said she is not afraid to exercise her right to vote because she thinks that voters are secured amid the threat of the spread of COVID-19.“And of course, it’s also our responsibility to do our own initiative how we can protect ourselves. This is a very important moment for us and to all the French people, the moment of democracy,” Cabais added.French Cyril Wilk, who works in Paris and lives in the Municipality of Boulogne-Billancourt, decided not to vote. “I will not take the risk to catch the virus because I need to go to Villepinte (where I am a registered voter), 26 kilometers away from where I live now. I just hope that this election will not be the cause of spreading the virus quickly,” Wilk said.While elections will continue as scheduled, many events in the country have been cancelled. A concert of American singer Richard Marx on March 31 in Paris has been cancelled. Leolyn Alpajora, a Pinay fan of Marx’s music who already bought a ticket to the concert, said she is quite upset but fully understands the situation. “I waited for almost 3 months for this concert but now it’s cancelled. But we must follow the government’s precautionary measures like this to avoid contamination of Covid-19,” she said. She hopes that the outbreak would be over soon and have a rescheduled date of the concert.One of the most important parts of President Macron’s speech was the decision to close schools in all levels starting Monday, March 16 until prior announcement.Dior Padillo, another Filipino in Paris, will have to stop working because she will need to stay at home with her kids. “For me, as a mom, sana nag-lockdown na lang ang presidente para makapag-alaga (kami) ng mga anak dahil nga isasarado ang mga schools. Binigyan niya lang ng problema ang mga working parents,” a worried Padillo said.(I hope the president just declared a lockdown because we have to be at home to take care of our kids with school out. He just created a problem for working parents.)France has not implemented a lockdown unlike other European countries such as Italy, Denmark and Norway. Macron said that France would do “all it takes” to preserve its economy, jobs and businesses.”Shela Buli, a Pinay working and living in France for 6 years, finds the French President’s decision and announcement as fair. “If sumabay din daw ang France ng lockdown, ano daw ang mangyayari sa mga tao na ‘di prepared sa mga consumption. Kaya ginawa niya ito para lahat maging equal,” Buli explained.(If France also declares a lockdown, what would happen to people who are not ready. He did this so that everybody&#x27;s equal.)Some of Paris&#x27; tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Versailles Palace were closed Friday, March 13, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus as the government banned all gatherings of more than 100 people.The Philippine Embassy in Paris has released an advisory through its Facebook page regarding consular services. The embassy stated that it won’t be accepting walk-in visa applicants starting March 16 and for passport applicants starting March 23. Visa applications are to be submitted only through postal mail while passport applicants should get an appointment via their website www.phinfrance.timetap.com. As of Friday evening, France has confirmed 3,661 COVID-19 patients, 79 deaths and 12 recoveries.

The Health Ministry had canceled thousands of events in France, including cultural, sports and musical, schools and tourist sites due to the Covid-19. However, as for the Municipal Election, it will push through for the first round on Sunday, March 15 and on the 22nd for the 2nd round.

The Health Ministry had canceled thousands of events in France, including cultural, sports and musical, schools and tourist sites due to the Covid-19. However, as for the Municipal Election, it will push through for the first round on Sunday, March 15 and on the 22nd for the 2nd round.

French Municipal Election to push through amid coronavirus concerns

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French Municipal Election to push through amid coronavirus concerns

Mary Anne Alcantara-Rivera,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 14, 2020 01:15 PM PHT

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