france24--2020-05-11--'Everyone needs to meet to talk': Parisians enjoy coffee, company and haircuts as lockdown lifted

Marais residents Cyril Muller ( L ) and Frank Barron meet outside Fringe , a local coffee shop that opened today as France eased its Covid-19 lockdown on May 11 , 2020 .
On the sidewalks of the Marais , the vibrant central Paris neighborhood that is both quaint and chic , local residents , merchants , and workers enjoyed each other ’ s company on the first day of the easing of France ’ s Covid-19 lockdown .
FRANCE 24 reports .
A little after 11am this morning , Frank Barron , 40 , was enjoying a latté at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rue de Turenne , for the first time in almost two months .
He had to stand on the sidewalk , but his drink , with an artful , leaf-like design on its surface , came in a ceramic mug .
Barron told FRANCE 24 that making coffee at home , which he ’ s been doing since France ’ s lockdown began on March 17 , isn ’ t the same as drinking it at a neighborhood spot .
But that isn ’ t just because of the java – it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbors .
Barron was standing next to Cyril Muller , 38 , another resident of the Marais , a neighborhood that consists of parts of Paris ’ s 3rd and 4th arrondissements ( districts ) and is known for its quaint streets and compact museums , art galleries and boutiques .
The Picasso Museum is here ; so is , arguably , the best falafel in town .
Muller , a spice distributer , said that streetside conversations are an important part of city life .
“ I missed it , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk.
” Standing behind a barrier of a table and a pastry shelf , Fringe owner Jeff Hargrove , 56 , said it felt strange to be able to serve customers at the door , but not inside .
“ Our place is more welcoming , cozy , but we have to keep these distances , ” he said .
Hargrove won ’ t be able to seat customers until the French government allows cafés and restaurants throughout the country , including the wider Paris region , where it believes that Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen .
For now , it makes him happy to see his customers , many of whom are local residents , at a distance .
“ Actually , I ’ ve not had anyone I don ’ t know , ” he said .
A few doors further up , Jonathan Benhamou , 32 , a salesman at Danyberd , a men ’ s clothing store , said that two of his regular customers had already visited since the shop opened .
“ They gained weight , so they had to buy new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the sidewalk , a man and a woman stopped , arched their bodies back and smiled in recognition , and a cheerful conversation ensued .
The man , James Rose , 56 , – who happened to be Barron ’ s partner – said that “ seeing friends for real ” was pleasing after so long .
Nadège Maguet , 54 , a local postal worker walking by , said she has been seeing residents along her routes for 25 years .
“ I know their children , their grandparents .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the lockdown , Maguet played music on her cellphone as she wheeled her cart , which sometimes prompted people to open their windows and say hello .
Children living in the Marais made her colourful pictures to thank her for delivering the mail .
One picture , which she displayed on her phone , showed a yellow shooting star on a light blue background with a large-lettered “ Merci ” ( Thank you ) , and a smaller “ Nadège ” above a heart .
Maguet said that Monday ’ s greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good .
Around the corner on Rue des Filles du Calvaire , César Levy , 38 , sat amid abstract metal sculptures and minimalist paintings in 193 Gallery , the exhibit space he opened two years ago .
The latest show opened about two weeks before the lockdown began , so Lévy decided to extend its duration .
He spent part of his time in lockdown digitalising the gallery ’ s catalogue , and hopes that collectors will return this week .
“ Psychologically , to not see the collectors , the artists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very hard , ” he said .
Across the neighborhood on the Rue des Rosiers , Hanna Abergel , 65 , the owner of a Middle Eastern restaurant bearing her name , lamented the absence of tourists , whom she said were her main customers .
But her partner , Guy , 61 , made sandwiches for a group of three teenagers and for Marais residents Valérie Geoffrey , 49 , and Betty Lachgar , 44 .
“ They have to get back into the habit , ” he said .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialty food shops were open during the lockdown , one hair salon was so busy that no one had time to talk .
On the quieter Rue des Archives , hairdresser Françoise Myoho shared her opinion of post-lockdown tresses .
“ Catastrophic !
” she said .
But she acknowledged that some of her customers had achieved “ interesting ” results by taking scissors into their own hands .

ON THE GROUND
On the sidewalks of the Marais, the vibrant central Paris neighbourhood that is both quaint and chic, local residents, merchants and workers enjoyed each other’s company on the first day of the easing of France’s Covid-19 lockdown. FRANCE 24 reports.
Marais residents Cyril Muller (L) and Frank Barron meet outside Fringe, a local coffee shop that opened today as France eased its Covid-19 lockdown on May 11, 2020.
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A little after 11am on Monday, Frank Barron, 40, was enjoying a latté at Fringe, a small coffeeshop on the Rue de Turenne, for the first time in almost two months. He had to stand on the sidewalk, but his drink, with an artful, leaf-like design on its surface, came in a ceramic mug.
Barron told FRANCE 24 that making coffee at home, which he’s been doing since France’s lockdown began on March 17, isn’t the same as drinking it at a neighbourhood spot. But that isn’t just because of the java – it’s also due to the camaraderie with neighbours.
Barron was standing next to Cyril Muller, 38, another resident of the Marais, a neighbourhood that consists of parts of Paris’s 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts) and is known for its quaint streets and compact museums, art galleries and boutiques. The Picasso Museum is here; so is, arguably, the best falafel in town.
Marais resident Valérie Geoffroy receives her sandwich order from Guy Abergel at Chez Hanna, a Middle Eastern restaurant on the Rue des Rosiers on May 11, 2020. © Philippe Theise
Muller, a spice distributer, said that streetside conversations are an important part of city life.
“I missed it,” he said. “Everyone needs to meet to talk.”
Standing behind a barrier of a table and a pastry shelf, Fringe owner Jeff Hargrove, 56, said it felt strange to be able to serve customers at the door, but not inside.
“Our place is more welcoming, cozy, but we have to keep these distances,” he said.
Hargrove won’t be able to seat customers until the French government allows cafés and restaurants throughout the country, including the wider Paris region, where it says that Covid-19 is still actively circulating, to fully reopen.
For now, it makes him happy to see his customers, many of whom are local residents, at a distance.
“Actually, I’ve not had anyone I don’t know,” he said.
A few doors further up, Jonathan Benhamou, 32, a salesman at Danyberd, a men’s clothing store, said that two of his regular customers had already visited since the shop opened.
“They gained weight, so they had to buy new suits,” he said.
Out on the sidewalk, a man and a woman stopped, arched their bodies back and smiled in recognition, and a cheerful conversation ensued.
The man, James Rose, 56, – who happened to be Barron’s partner – said that “seeing friends for real” was pleasing after so long.
Thank-you messages
Nadège Maguet, 54, a local postal worker walking by, said she has been seeing residents along her routes for 25 years.
“I know their children, their grandparents. All the family,” she said.
Nadège Maguet, a mail carrier who works in the Marais, displays one of the pictures local children made for her during France's Covid-19 lockdown to thank her for bringing the mail on May 11, 2020. The image features a shooting star and the word "Merci" in large letters. © Philippe Theise
During the lockdown, Maguet played music on her cellphone as she wheeled her cart, which sometimes prompted people to open their windows and say hello.
Children living in the Marais made her colourful pictures to thank her for delivering the mail. One picture, which she displayed on her phone, showed a yellow shooting star on a light blue background with a large-lettered “Merci” (Thank you), and a smaller “Nadège” above a heart.
Maguet said that Monday’s greater number of face-to-face exchanges made her feel good.
“It’s human,” she said.
Around the corner on Rue des Filles du Calvaire, César Levy, 38, sat amid abstract metal sculptures and minimalist paintings in 193 Gallery, the exhibition space he opened two years ago.
The latest show opened about two weeks before the lockdown began, so Lévy decided to extend its duration. He spent part of his time in lockdown digitalising the gallery’s catalogue, and hopes that collectors will return this week.
César Lévy, the owner of 193 Gallery in the Marais, decided to prolong his exhibition of Mexican artists, which opened in early March, for three more weeks. © Philippe Theise
“Psychologically, to not see the collectors, the artists for two months, it’s very hard,” he said.
‘Interesting’ haircuts
Across the neighbourhood on the Rue des Rosiers, Hanna Abergel, 65, the owner of a Middle Eastern restaurant bearing her name, lamented the absence of tourists, who she said were her main customers.
“It’s sad,” she said.
But her partner, Guy, 61, made sandwiches for a group of three teenagers and for Marais residents Valérie Geoffrey, 49, and Betty Lachgar, 44.
“They have to get back into the habit,” he said.
On the busy Rue de Bretagne, where many specialty food shops were open during the lockdown, one hair salon was so busy that no one had time to talk. On the quieter Rue des Archives, hairdresser Françoise Myoho shared her opinion of post-lockdown tresses.
“Catastrophic!” she said. But she acknowledged that some of her customers had achieved “interesting” results by taking scissors into their own hands.
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france24--2020-05-11--As it happened: Millions emerge from eight-week Covid-19 lockdown in France

As it happened : Millions emerge from eight-week Covid-19 lockdown in France Millions of French people cautiously emerged on Monday @ @ @ @ @ of Europe ’ s strictest lockdowns aimed at stamping out the spread of Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ see how the easing of restrictions unfolded throughout the country .

As it happened: Millions emerge from eight-week Covid-19 lockdown in France
Millions of French people cautiously emerged on Monday from eight weeks of one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns aimed at stamping out the spread of Covid-19. Read our live blog to see how the easing of restrictions unfolded throughout the country.
A woman walks down Paris's Champs-Elysèes boulevard as shops reopened for the first time in eight weeks as France lifted its nationwide Covid-19 lockdown on May 11. AFP - ERIC PIERMONT
Advertising Read more France cautiously emerged from one of Europe's strictest coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, allowing non-essential shops, factories and other businesses to reopen for the first time in eight weeks.
Schools in France will be re-opened in phases and people can now leave home without government paperwork, although documentation is still needed for rush-hour travel around Paris.
Although some trains and stations in the wider Paris region have been worryingly crowded, France's first day post-lockdown is "going as it should", the country's transport secretary, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said.
The government has called for caution to avoid a sudden spike in cases amid the lifting of restrictions.
France on Monday reported 263 new deaths from Covid-19 against 70 the day before. However, Monday's figures often tend to register a spike after the weekend lull.
More than 26,000 people have died from Covid-19 in France, the world's fifth highest official death toll. The rate of infection has been steadily declining since early April.
France’s lifting of its lockdown comes amid worries over fresh coronavirus cases in some countries that have won praise for their handling of the pandemic, such as South Korea and Germany.
Senior civil servant Jean Castex, who is advising the government on plans for lifting the lockdown, says the government must prepare to reimpose strict measures in the case of a second wave. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-05-11--France records 263 new Covid-19 deaths as hospitalisations continue to fall

A nurse looks at Corinne B. , a patient infected with COVID-19 at the post COVID-19 unit of the Lariboisiere Hospital AP-HP ( Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris ) in Paris on April 27 , 2020 .
France on Monday reported 263 more deaths from the coronavirus , a sharp increase on previous days as the country marked the first easing of an almost two-month lockdown .
The new deaths brought the total toll in hospitals and nursing homes from the pandemic in France to 26,643 , the health ministry said .
The ministry had on Sunday reported 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced since March 17 , the day the lockdown in France began .
However weekend tolls are frequently lower than in the week , possibly due to reporting lags , particularly in nursing homes .
France was on Monday beginning to emerge from its lockdown , although many restrictions remain in place nationwide .
There has been a steady downward trend in France 's key coronavirus figures in recent days , although officials warn that caution is still needed and the risk of a second wave remains .
Continuing a month-long decline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total in intensive care Monday .
The overall number of patients hospitalised with the virus also continued to decline , dropping by 285 to 22,284 on Monday .
The government has divided France into green and red areas , with Paris and three other regions classified as red seeing a more limited relaxation of the lockdown .

France on Monday reported 263 more deaths from the coronavirus, a sharp increase on previous days as the country marked the first easing of an almost two-month lockdown.
A nurse looks at Corinne B., a patient infected with COVID-19 at the post COVID-19 unit of the Lariboisiere Hospital AP-HP (Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris) in Paris on April 27, 2020.
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The new deaths brought the total toll in hospitals and nursing homes from the pandemic in France to 26,643, the health ministry said.
The ministry had on Sunday reported 70 more deaths, the lowest daily toll announced since March 17, the day the lockdown in France began.
However weekend tolls are frequently lower than in the week, possibly due to reporting lags, particularly in nursing homes.
France was on Monday beginning to emerge from its lockdown, although many restrictions remain in place nationwide.
There has been a steady downward trend in France's key coronavirus figures in recent days, although officials warn that caution is still needed and the risk of a second wave remains.
Continuing a month-long decline, there were 64 fewer coronavirus patients in total in intensive care Monday.
The overall number of patients hospitalised with the virus also continued to decline, dropping by 285 to 22,284 on Monday.
The government has divided France into green and red areas, with Paris and three other regions classified as red seeing a more limited relaxation of the lockdown.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-11--Unlimited outdoor activity, U-turn on masks: UK unveils lockdown lifting strategy

The British government performed an about-face on masks Monday , telling people to cover their mouth and nose in shops , buses and subway trains .
The change came as part of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the “ first careful measures ” to lift a nationwide lockdown imposed seven weeks ago to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
A 50-page government document outlining cautious steps to ease restrictions said “ people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transport or in some shops.
” That is a recommendation rather than a rule , and people won ’ t be penalized if they don ’ t wear a mask .
The government outlined a three-stage approach to ending lockdown , beginning Wednesday with a relaxing of limits on outdoor activity .
People in England may take unlimited amounts of exercise , rather than just one trip out a day , and may sit and sunbathe outdoors .
Driving to a park or beach will be permitted , and golf courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no new spike in infections , that will be followed in June by a return to class for some young school pupils , the reopening of nonessential shops and the return of televised sports , played behind closed doors .
A third stage , penciled in for July at the soonest , would see the gradual reopening of restaurants , cafes , pubs , hairdressers and other businesses .
Johnson told lawmakers that “ if the alert level begins to rise we will have no hesitation in putting on the brakes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an end to lockdown , police organizations warned that the new rules were fuzzy and made enforcement harder .
There was confusion about the measures , which were announced by Johnson in a televised speech almost 24 hours before the details were published .
“ What the country needs at this time is clarity and reassurance , and at the moment both are in pretty short supply , '' said Keir Starmer , leader of the main opposition Labour Party .
In a televised statement Sunday , Johnson extended most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , including the closure of schools , restaurants and most shops .
Britain ’ s official coronavirus death toll stood Monday at 32,065 , the highest in Europe and the second-highest in the world after the United States .
While the number of new deaths and infections is falling , Johnson said it would be “ madness ” to loosen restrictions so much that there is a new surge in cases .
But he made a dramatic shift in tone on the economy .
Since March 23 , workers have been told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ anyone who can ’ t work from home , for instance those in construction or manufacturing , should be actively encouraged to go to work.
” He said workplaces should observe social distancing and people should avoid public transport if possible , traveling “ by car or even better by walking or bicycle.
” Employees , business owners and trade unions expressed concern about the gear-change , saying the advice was confusing and potentially dangerous — especially in a big city like London , where most people do not own cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraction of their usual capacity .
Some expressed fears that people in low-paid jobs , who are less likely to be able to work from home , will be put at risk .
That concern was underscored by official statistics showing that men working as security guards , construction workers , transit workers and shop assistants had experienced higher-than-average mortality in the outbreak .
Men overall are about twice as likely as women to die with the coronavirus .
After Johnson spoke , London Major Sadiq Khan issued a statement stressing that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Londoners “ must not use public transport for any unnecessary journeys.
” London ’ s Waterloo station , usually the country ’ s busiest train hub , remained largely quiet Monday morning but commuters venturing back to work said they worried that services would soon be thronged again .
Peter Osu , 45 , who was returning to work at a construction site for the first time since the lockdown started , said he felt nervous .
“ People were sitting close together on the ( subway ) and others were having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no 2-meter spacing .
This is the first day .
Can you imagine what it ’ s going to look like by the end of the week ?
” The reopening plan has put Johnson ’ s U.K. government at odds with semi-autonomous authorities in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , who urged more caution and said they would not automatically adopt the measures Johnson has announced for England .
Johnson , who was hospitalized last month with a serious bout of COVID-19 , also said that within weeks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people arriving by air .
Travelers from Ireland and France will be exempt .

The British government performed an about-face on masks Monday, telling people to cover their mouth and nose in shops, buses and subway trains. The change came as part of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the “first careful measures” to lift a nationwide lockdown imposed seven weeks ago to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Advertising Read more
A 50-page government document outlining cautious steps to ease restrictions said “people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet, for example on public transport or in some shops.”
That is a recommendation rather than a rule, and people won’t be penalized if they don’t wear a mask.
The government outlined a three-stage approach to ending lockdown, beginning Wednesday with a relaxing of limits on outdoor activity. People in England may take unlimited amounts of exercise, rather than just one trip out a day, and may sit and sunbathe outdoors. Driving to a park or beach will be permitted, and golf courses and tennis courts can reopen.
If there is no new spike in infections, that will be followed in June by a return to class for some young school pupils, the reopening of nonessential shops and the return of televised sports, played behind closed doors. A third stage, penciled in for July at the soonest, would see the gradual reopening of restaurants, cafes, pubs, hairdressers and other businesses.
Johnson told lawmakers that “if the alert level begins to rise we will have no hesitation in putting on the brakes.”
While many people welcomed the prospect of an end to lockdown, police organizations warned that the new rules were fuzzy and made enforcement harder.
There was confusion about the measures, which were announced by Johnson in a televised speech almost 24 hours before the details were published.
“What the country needs at this time is clarity and reassurance, and at the moment both are in pretty short supply," said Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party.
The Prime Minister said he was setting out a roadmap but if we’re to complete the journey safely a roadmap needs clear directions. pic.twitter.com/6D7XblY0V6 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 11, 2020
In a televised statement Sunday, Johnson extended most of the draconian restrictions on daily life imposed March 23, including the closure of schools, restaurants and most shops.
Britain’s official coronavirus death toll stood Monday at 32,065, the highest in Europe and the second-highest in the world after the United States. While the number of new deaths and infections is falling, Johnson said it would be “madness” to loosen restrictions so much that there is a new surge in cases.
But he made a dramatic shift in tone on the economy. Since March 23, workers have been told to stay at home. Now Johnson said “anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.”
He said workplaces should observe social distancing and people should avoid public transport if possible, traveling “by car or even better by walking or bicycle.”
Employees, business owners and trade unions expressed concern about the gear-change, saying the advice was confusing and potentially dangerous — especially in a big city like London, where most people do not own cars and where subways are operating at a fraction of their usual capacity.
Some expressed fears that people in low-paid jobs, who are less likely to be able to work from home, will be put at risk. That concern was underscored by official statistics showing that men working as security guards, construction workers, transit workers and shop assistants had experienced higher-than-average mortality in the outbreak. Men overall are about twice as likely as women to die with the coronavirus.
After Johnson spoke, London Major Sadiq Khan issued a statement stressing that the lockdown had not been lifted and saying Londoners “must not use public transport for any unnecessary journeys.”
London’s Waterloo station, usually the country’s busiest train hub, remained largely quiet Monday morning but commuters venturing back to work said they worried that services would soon be thronged again.
Peter Osu, 45, who was returning to work at a construction site for the first time since the lockdown started, said he felt nervous.
“People were sitting close together on the (subway) and others were having to stand," he said. "There was no 2-meter spacing. This is the first day. Can you imagine what it’s going to look like by the end of the week?”
The reopening plan has put Johnson’s U.K. government at odds with semi-autonomous authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who urged more caution and said they would not automatically adopt the measures Johnson has announced for England.
Johnson, who was hospitalized last month with a serious bout of COVID-19, also said that within weeks the U.K. would impose a 14-day quarantine on people arriving by air. Travelers from Ireland and France will be exempt.
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-11--In emotional video, Algerian tennis player Ines Ibbou takes on No. 3 Thiem over relief fund

In an emotional video , Algerian Ines Ibbou challenged the sport 's No .
3 Dominic Thiem for his opposition to a player relief fund , and won the support of top stars including Venus Williams .
Algerian Ines Ibbou was hailed as a hero by Venus Williams while her country 's president pledged full support after the low-ranked tennis player posted an emotional video to take on world No .
3 Dominic Thiem for his opposition to a player relief fund .
Thiem rejected the notion that top tennis players should chip in to help lower-ranked competitors who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournaments due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
In the video , which runs over nine minutes and was posted on Ibbou 's Instagram page , the world number 620 starts with `` Dear Dominic '' and goes on to talk about the difficulties she has had to endure and the sacrifices she needed to make in her career .
The 21-year-old pleads with Thiem to understand the stark difference in the Austrian 's `` magical world '' and how she had to pursue tennis in the North African country , which she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport .
`` I cherish the day when I 'll be able to afford a gift for my parents .
I 'm dreaming about this day , '' said Ibbou , who started playing at the age of six but has only managed to make $ 27,825 in tournament earnings so far .
`` I 'm a lonely lady , travelling the world generally in three-legged trips , always looking for the cheapest tickets . ''
World number one Novak Djokovic has urged fellow professionals to contribute to a fund set up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players affected by a shutdown which began in March and will continue at least until mid-July .
Austrian Thiem said he felt there were sections of society that needed more urgent help than his fellow competitors during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic .
`` Do you alternate clay and hard from a week to another like I do , '' Ibbou questioned Thiem .
`` Do you finish your tournaments with holes in shoes like I do ? ''
`` Dear Dominic , unlike you , many share my reality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not because of your money that we survived until now .
And nobody requested to you anything .
The initiative went from generous players who showed instant compassion with a classy touch . ''
The governing bodies recently raised over $ 6 million to help lower-level players affected by the shutdown .
Ibbou said the crisis showed `` who people truly are '' and helping the needy players was only to help the game survive .
`` We did not ask anything from you .
Except a bit of respect to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
`` Players like you make me hold on to my dreams .
Please , do n't ruin it . ''
Williams , a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner , commented on the post : `` You 're my hero . ''
Ibbou replied : `` You 've always been mine too , and now you 're even more to me .
Thank you so much . ''
Australian Kyrgios , who had criticised Thiem for his comments , said `` Respect ! ''
before adding , `` Keep doing you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' As Ibbou 's post gained popularity and was widely shared on social media , it caught the eye of Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune .
`` Algeria ca n't miss a sporting talent like Ines Ibbou in a young age and a flower of giving , in a specialty that is rarely born in it , '' Tebboune said in a message for Ibbou on his official Facebook page .
`` Soon , the ministry of youth and sports will take care of your work .
You have my full support and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Algerian Ines Ibbou was hailed as a hero by Venus Williams while her country's president pledged full support after the low-ranked tennis player posted an emotional video to take on world No. 3 Dominic Thiem for his opposition to a player relief fund.
Advertising Read more
Thiem rejected the notion that top tennis players should chip in to help lower-ranked competitors who are struggling financially due to the pause in tournaments due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
In the video, which runs over nine minutes and was posted on Ibbou's Instagram page, the world number 620 starts with "Dear Dominic" and goes on to talk about the difficulties she has had to endure and the sacrifices she needed to make in her career.
The 21-year-old pleads with Thiem to understand the stark difference in the Austrian's "magical world" and how she had to pursue tennis in the North African country, which she said lacked even basic infrastructure for the sport.
"I cherish the day when I'll be able to afford a gift for my parents. I'm dreaming about this day," said Ibbou, who started playing at the age of six but has only managed to make $27,825 in tournament earnings so far.
"I'm a lonely lady, travelling the world generally in three-legged trips, always looking for the cheapest tickets."
World number one Novak Djokovic has urged fellow professionals to contribute to a fund set up by the sport's governing bodies to help players affected by a shutdown which began in March and will continue at least until mid-July.
Austrian Thiem said he felt there were sections of society that needed more urgent help than his fellow competitors during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
"Do you alternate clay and hard from a week to another like I do," Ibbou questioned Thiem. "Do you finish your tournaments with holes in shoes like I do?"
"Dear Dominic, unlike you, many share my reality."
"Just a reminder, it's not because of your money that we survived until now. And nobody requested to you anything. The initiative went from generous players who showed instant compassion with a classy touch."
The governing bodies recently raised over $6 million to help lower-level players affected by the shutdown.
Ibbou said the crisis showed "who people truly are" and helping the needy players was only to help the game survive.
"We did not ask anything from you. Except a bit of respect to our sacrifice," she said before signing off. "Players like you make me hold on to my dreams. Please, don't ruin it."
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, commented on the post: "You're my hero."
Ibbou replied: "You've always been mine too, and now you're even more to me. Thank you so much."
Australian Kyrgios, who had criticised Thiem for his comments, said "Respect!" before adding, "Keep doing you, I'm always willing to support."
As Ibbou's post gained popularity and was widely shared on social media, it caught the eye of Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
"Algeria can't miss a sporting talent like Ines Ibbou in a young age and a flower of giving, in a specialty that is rarely born in it," Tebboune said in a message for Ibbou on his official Facebook page.
"Soon, the ministry of youth and sports will take care of your work. You have my full support and I wish you success, God willing."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-11--French prosecutors open sex assault probe into ex-president d'Estaing

In this file photo taken on October 14 , 2014 , former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing is pictured during the opening of the World Nuclear Exhibition ( WNE ) at Le Bourget , Paris .
French prosecutors said Monday they are opening an investigation into ex-president Valery Giscard d'Estaing over allegations by a German journalist that he sexually assaulted her after an interview in 2018 .
The investigation follows claims by reporter Ann-Kathrin Stracke that Giscard d'Estaing , 94 , repeatedly grabbed her buttocks in his Paris office .
Giscard d'Estaing , France 's oldest surviving former leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he lost out on re-election to Francois Mitterrand .
Stracke , 37 , told AFP last week she had filed charges against the former leader , claiming he had placed his hands on her backside three times while they posed for a photograph together in December 2018 , when he was 92 .
`` I decided to tell my story because I think that people should know that a French former president harassed me sexually after an interview , '' said Stracke , a journalist for German public television WDR .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 10 this year , backed by her employer which carried out an independent investigation into her claims .
Stracke said Monday she was pleased to hear of the decision , adding : `` I am , of course , at the disposal of the French authorities in the context of this investigation . ''
Tried to push him away Recalling the interview on December 18 , 2018 , Stracke said last week that she had asked for a photograph to be taken with Giscard d'Estaing and her colleagues after the interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left , and while taking the photo , he put his hand on my left waist before sliding it to my backside where it stayed , '' said Stracke .
The same action was allegedly repeated twice — once while a new photo was being taken and another time when the former president was showing Stracke photographs of himself next to other world leaders or family members .
`` I tried to push him away but I did n't manage to , '' she said .
To get out of what she called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she turned to a cameraman who toppled a lampshade to divert attention while placing a chair between the former leader and the journalist .
Back at her office , she spoke about the incident to her managers .
`` WDR accompanies and backs Ann-Kathrin Stracke since the incident was known , as well as when she decided to file a complaint , '' the television station 's spokeswoman said .
Giscard d'Estaing ushered through a spree of radical reforms as president , legalising abortion , liberalising divorce and reducing the voting age to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Constitutional Council , the body tasked with ensuring that laws conform with the constitution .

French prosecutors said Monday they are opening an investigation into ex-president Valery Giscard d'Estaing over allegations by a German journalist that he sexually assaulted her after an interview in 2018.
In this file photo taken on October 14, 2014, former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing is pictured during the opening of the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) at Le Bourget, Paris.
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The investigation follows claims by reporter Ann-Kathrin Stracke that Giscard d'Estaing, 94, repeatedly grabbed her buttocks in his Paris office.
Giscard d'Estaing, France's oldest surviving former leader, served as president from 1974 until 1981, when he lost out on re-election to Francois Mitterrand.
Stracke, 37, told AFP last week she had filed charges against the former leader, claiming he had placed his hands on her backside three times while they posed for a photograph together in December 2018, when he was 92.
"I decided to tell my story because I think that people should know that a French former president harassed me sexually after an interview," said Stracke, a journalist for German public television WDR.
She took her case to Paris prosecutors on March 10 this year, backed by her employer which carried out an independent investigation into her claims.
Stracke said Monday she was pleased to hear of the decision, adding: "I am, of course, at the disposal of the French authorities in the context of this investigation."
Giscard d'Estaing's lawyer declined to comment.
Tried to push him away
Recalling the interview on December 18, 2018, Stracke said last week that she had asked for a photograph to be taken with Giscard d'Estaing and her colleagues after the interview.
"I was standing to his left, and while taking the photo, he put his hand on my left waist before sliding it to my backside where it stayed," said Stracke.
The same action was allegedly repeated twice — once while a new photo was being taken and another time when the former president was showing Stracke photographs of himself next to other world leaders or family members.
"I tried to push him away but I didn't manage to," she said.
To get out of what she called a "very degrading" situation, she turned to a cameraman who toppled a lampshade to divert attention while placing a chair between the former leader and the journalist.
Back at her office, she spoke about the incident to her managers.
"WDR accompanies and backs Ann-Kathrin Stracke since the incident was known, as well as when she decided to file a complaint," the television station's spokeswoman said.
Giscard d'Estaing ushered through a spree of radical reforms as president, legalising abortion, liberalising divorce and reducing the voting age to 18.
He sits today on France's Constitutional Council, the body tasked with ensuring that laws conform with the constitution.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-11--Guardian Angels: New York citizen crime-fighters tackle Covid-19 crisis

Members of the Guardian Angels in New York City on May 7 , 2020 .
The Guardian Angels , a volunteer citizen crime-fighting organisation , have been patrolling the streets of New York City for four decades .
But with the city still emerging from the grip of the Covid-19 crisis , they say they are busier than ever amid a spike in burglaries .
New York has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic with around 20,000 deaths .
Although overall crime has fallen in the city in recent weeks , burglaries soared 169 percent in April , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services have never been more in need then now during this pandemic of coronavirus , because there 's lawlessness , breaking into stores , robberies , thuggery , prisoners are being released from the jails because of coronavirus .
And there are just not enough police , ” Curtis Sliwa , founder of the Guardian Angels , whose members are trained to carry out citizens ’ arrests on suspected wrongdoers , told AFP .
But it is not just violent crime the group is battling .
It is also helping to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not forgotten amid the pandemic .
`` Homelessness and the EDPs that are out there , the emotionally disturbed people , that is now a focus , ” said volunteer Arnaldo Salinas .
“ We feed them .
We give them you know , sanitary wipes so they can wipe their hands .
We try and make their life at least a little bit more comfortable.
” The Guardian Angels were founded in New York in 1979 , at a time when the city was notorious for its high crime rate and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous vigilantes .
But in recent years they have been given public backing by NYC officials and the group now has 5,000 members in 130 cities across 13 different countries .

The Guardian Angels, a volunteer citizen crime-fighting organisation, have been patrolling the streets of New York City for four decades. But with the city still emerging from the grip of the Covid-19 crisis, they say they are busier than ever amid a spike in burglaries.
Members of the Guardian Angels in New York City on May 7, 2020.
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New York has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic with around 20,000 deaths. Although overall crime has fallen in the city in recent weeks, burglaries soared 169 percent in April, with thieves targeting shuttered businesses.
“Our services have never been more in need then now during this pandemic of coronavirus, because there's lawlessness, breaking into stores, robberies, thuggery, prisoners are being released from the jails because of coronavirus. And there are just not enough police,” Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, whose members are trained to carry out citizens’ arrests on suspected wrongdoers, told AFP.
But it is not just violent crime the group is battling. It is also helping to make sure the city’s most vulnerable are not forgotten amid the pandemic.
"Homelessness and the EDPs that are out there, the emotionally disturbed people, that is now a focus,” said volunteer Arnaldo Salinas.
“We feed them. We give them you know, sanitary wipes so they can wipe their hands. We try and make their life at least a little bit more comfortable.”
The Guardian Angels were founded in New York in 1979, at a time when the city was notorious for its high crime rate and were initially opposed by authorities who labelled them dangerous vigilantes.
But in recent years they have been given public backing by NYC officials and the group now has 5,000 members in 130 cities across 13 different countries.
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france24--2020-05-11--Russia to begin easing Covid-19 lockdown on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on the implementation of economy relief measures amid the coronavirus crisis , via teleconference call at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence , outside Moscow , Russia .
President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would start gradually easing coronavirus-related lockdown measures from Tuesday , but that individual regions would need to tailor their approach to varying local conditions .
`` Starting from tomorrow , May 12 , the national period of non-working days will be over for all sectors of the economy , '' Putin said .
The president 's announcement comes after Russia registered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 11,000 people testing positive over the last 24 hours .
Health officials have recorded a total of 221,344 coronavirus infections and 2009 deaths .
Putin said that Russia had used the self-isolation period to prepare its healthcare system , increasing the amount of hospital beds and saving `` many thousands of lives . ''
This `` allows us to begin a gradual lifting of restrictions '' , he said .
`` It is in the interest of all of us for the economy to return to normal quickly . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restarted first , he added .
`` The epidemic and associated restrictions have had a strong impact on the economy and hurt millions of our citizens , '' he said .
As people begin going back to work , mass events are still suspended and `` strict sanitation demands '' must be observed , Putin said .
He added that Russia 's regions will be able to keep in place any necessary anti-virus measures .

President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would start gradually easing coronavirus-related lockdown measures from Tuesday, but that individual regions would need to tailor their approach to varying local conditions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on the implementation of economy relief measures amid the coronavirus crisis, via teleconference call at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia.
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"Starting from tomorrow, May 12, the national period of non-working days will be over for all sectors of the economy," Putin said.
The president's announcement comes after Russia registered a record number of daily cases Monday, with more than 11,000 people testing positive over the last 24 hours.
Health officials have recorded a total of 221,344 coronavirus infections and 2009 deaths.
Putin said that Russia had used the self-isolation period to prepare its healthcare system, increasing the amount of hospital beds and saving "many thousands of lives."
This "allows us to begin a gradual lifting of restrictions", he said.
"It is in the interest of all of us for the economy to return to normal quickly."
Construction, agriculture and energy should be restarted first, he added.
"The epidemic and associated restrictions have had a strong impact on the economy and hurt millions of our citizens," he said.
As people begin going back to work, mass events are still suspended and "strict sanitation demands" must be observed, Putin said.
He added that Russia's regions will be able to keep in place any necessary anti-virus measures.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-11--Top DR Congo presidential aide Kamerhe goes on trial for corruption

A powerful top aide to DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi went on trial for corruption on Monday in a case without precedent in the country .
Tshisekedi 's chief of staff Vital Kamerhe , who has been at the very heart of political life in DR Congo for two decades , is accused of embezzling more than $ 50 million .
A grey-bearded Kamerhe , 61 , appeared in a prison jumpsuit before a court set up within Kinshasa 's central prison compound , where he has been in custody since April 8 .
Two other defendants in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , also appeared during the first hearing which was broadcast by the state channel RTNC .
Kamerhe 's supporters charge that the case is politically motivated , a possible attempt to prevent him from running in the next presidential election in three years ' time .
`` Never in Congo 's political history over the past two decades has such an important player on the political scene been put behind bars , '' New York University 's Congo Study Group ( CSG ) said in an analysis .
The case against Kamerhe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is supposed to mark the `` renewal '' of the Congolese justice system in the fight against corruption among the elite since the country 's independence in 1960 .
Kamerhe , once a pillar of the regime of former president Joseph Kabila , is the leader of the influential Union for the Congolese Nation and previously served as parliamentary speaker .
He emerged as Tshisekedi 's main ally in his quest for power after Kamerhe himself bowed out of the presidential race in December 2018 , the first peaceful power transfer in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kamerhe , said to have been in charge of authorising public expenditure , is accused of embezzling public funds intended to finance major works under a `` 100-day '' emergency action plan launched by Tshisekedi after he took office in January last year .
The defendants are accused of embezzling almost $ 49 million from funds for building 4,500 pre-fabricated homes for poor people and allegedly siphoned off another $ 2 million from a programme to build housing for police and the military in Kinshasa .
Kamerhe , who has not stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has denied the allegations against him , saying all public sector contracts were `` inherited '' from previous governments .
Although Kamerhe 's arrest is seen as a strong signal in the anti-graft fight , some remain sceptical , seeing the case as a possible settling of scores within the governing coalition .
MPs from Kamerhe 's party have denounced the `` arbitrary arrest '' and `` humiliation '' suffered by their leader while on social media , his supporters say it is a bid to remove him from the 2023 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamerhe 's lawyers said on Monday that they had filed an application for temporary release , after another request was denied last month .
The trial was initially expected to be held in Kinshasa 's high court but was later moved to the prison complex where Kamerhe has been held for more than a month .
Defendants , judges and lawyers wore masks during the hearing , as the official toll of coronavirus cases in the country passed the 1,000-mark , including 41 deaths , with a major outbreak at a prison in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended after Kamerhe 's co-defendant , 79-year-old Lebanese businessman Samih Jammal , appeared to be fainting in his wheelchair as he breathlessly confirmed his identity to the court .
The biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa , the Democratic Republic of Congo has an abundance of natural resources , but most of its 80 million people live below the threshold of poverty .
The country struggles with a long history of conflict , poor governance and graft .
Kamerhe served as president of the National Assembly from 2006 to 2009 but moved to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections that year .
He initially stood in the 2018 presidential poll but bowed out to team up with Tshisekedi .
The two leaders signed a political agreement in Nairobi in November 2018 that gave birth to a joint platform , Heading for Change , and which allowed Kamerhe to run for president in 2023 .
Kamerhe 's UNC has 16 seats in parliament and several ministers in Tshisekedi 's huge coalition government .

A powerful top aide to DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi went on trial for corruption on Monday in a case without precedent in the country.
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Tshisekedi's chief of staff Vital Kamerhe, who has been at the very heart of political life in DR Congo for two decades, is accused of embezzling more than $50 million.
A grey-bearded Kamerhe, 61, appeared in a prison jumpsuit before a court set up within Kinshasa's central prison compound, where he has been in custody since April 8.
Two other defendants in the case, a Lebanese businessman and another presidential official, also appeared during the first hearing which was broadcast by the state channel RTNC.
Kamerhe's supporters charge that the case is politically motivated, a possible attempt to prevent him from running in the next presidential election in three years' time.
"Never in Congo's political history over the past two decades has such an important player on the political scene been put behind bars," New York University's Congo Study Group (CSG) said in an analysis.
The case against Kamerhe is part of a broad investigation that is supposed to mark the "renewal" of the Congolese justice system in the fight against corruption among the elite since the country's independence in 1960.
Kamerhe, once a pillar of the regime of former president Joseph Kabila, is the leader of the influential Union for the Congolese Nation and previously served as parliamentary speaker.
He emerged as Tshisekedi's main ally in his quest for power after Kamerhe himself bowed out of the presidential race in December 2018, the first peaceful power transfer in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
100-day action plan
Kamerhe, said to have been in charge of authorising public expenditure, is accused of embezzling public funds intended to finance major works under a "100-day" emergency action plan launched by Tshisekedi after he took office in January last year.
The defendants are accused of embezzling almost $49 million from funds for building 4,500 pre-fabricated homes for poor people and allegedly siphoned off another $2 million from a programme to build housing for police and the military in Kinshasa.
Kamerhe, who has not stood down or been sacked since being charged, has denied the allegations against him, saying all public sector contracts were "inherited" from previous governments.
Although Kamerhe's arrest is seen as a strong signal in the anti-graft fight, some remain sceptical, seeing the case as a possible settling of scores within the governing coalition.
MPs from Kamerhe's party have denounced the "arbitrary arrest" and "humiliation" suffered by their leader while on social media, his supporters say it is a bid to remove him from the 2023 presidential race despite a deal with Tshisekedi.
Kamerhe's lawyers said on Monday that they had filed an application for temporary release, after another request was denied last month.
The trial was initially expected to be held in Kinshasa's high court but was later moved to the prison complex where Kamerhe has been held for more than a month.
Defendants, judges and lawyers wore masks during the hearing, as the official toll of coronavirus cases in the country passed the 1,000-mark, including 41 deaths, with a major outbreak at a prison in the capital.
02:02
The session was briefly suspended after Kamerhe's co-defendant, 79-year-old Lebanese businessman Samih Jammal, appeared to be fainting in his wheelchair as he breathlessly confirmed his identity to the court.
The biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo has an abundance of natural resources, but most of its 80 million people live below the threshold of poverty.
The country struggles with a long history of conflict, poor governance and graft.
Kamerhe served as president of the National Assembly from 2006 to 2009 but moved to the opposition ranks in 2011, running in elections that year.
He initially stood in the 2018 presidential poll but bowed out to team up with Tshisekedi.
The two leaders signed a political agreement in Nairobi in November 2018 that gave birth to a joint platform, Heading for Change, and which allowed Kamerhe to run for president in 2023.
Kamerhe's UNC has 16 seats in parliament and several ministers in Tshisekedi's huge coalition government.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-11--Paris suburb distributes free masks as France eases lockdown measures

Faced with critical shortages at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic , French authorities initially rejected the notion of a @ @ @ @ @ before finally touting the device as essential , and in some situations compulsory .
The @ @ @ @ @ mayors acros France to organise distributions of face masks as the country gradually ends eight @ @ @ @ @ FRANCE 24 's reporters James André and Alexandra Quarini followed volunteers going door to door @ @ @ @ @ Lilas , east of Paris , to distribute the precious items freely .

Paris suburb distributes free masks as France eases lockdown measures
01:41 © FRANCE 24 screengrab
Video by: James ANDRÉ
Faced with critical shortages at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, French authorities initially rejected the notion of a generalised use of face masks before finally touting the device as essential, and in some situations compulsory. The government is now relying on mayors acros France to organise distributions of face masks as the country gradually ends eight weeks of strict lockdown. FRANCE 24's reporters James André and Alexandra Quarini followed volunteers going door to door in the suburb of Les Lilas, east of Paris, to distribute the precious items freely.


france24--2020-05-12--French parents torn as schools start to reopen after Covid-19 lockdown

Toys are disinfected at the Rothschild school in Nice , on the French Riviera , on May 11 , 2020 .
Nursing and primary schools start reopening across France on Tuesday as the government pushes for public life to resume after eight weeks under a coronavirus lockdown , with many parents deeply torn over sending their children back to the classroom .
The French government has started easing some of the closure and home-confinement orders it imposed on March 17 to curb infections , with businesses permitted to reopen and residents cleared to return to workplaces from Monday .
Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the government ’ s reopening plans , with many parents torn over the question of whether to send their children back to the classroom starting on Tuesday .
Only nursery and primary schools are set to start up at first , and classes will be capped at 10 students at preschools and 15 elsewhere .
Administrators were told to prioritise instruction for children ages 5 , 6 and 10 .
Due to the slow startup , as well as ongoing fears about Covid-19 in hard-hit France , school attendance will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may keep children at home and teachers will provide lessons like they have during the nationwide lockdown .
Students with parents who want or need to send them to school are not guaranteed places in the smaller classes and only will be allowed to attend if their school can accommodate them .
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer estimated that 80 percent to 85 percent of France ’ s 50,500 preschools and elementary schools will open this week .
Secondary schools in regions with fewer virus cases are expected to reopen on May 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled yet for France ’ s lycées , or high schools .
Given the ambiguous education guidance and uncertainties over spreading coronavirus , French parents are conflicted as they puzzle over making the most responsible decision .
Cecile Bardin , whose two sons are 6 and 2 , said she thinks it is “ too soon ” to put them back in their nursery and primary schools in Paris .
“ I am not reassured at the moment , because it will be very difficult to keep safe distance at school , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to play together , ” Bardin told the Associated Press .
Mathilde Manaud and her partner are raising their 3-year-old and 7-year-old in Le Pre Saint-Gervais , in the French capital ’ s eastern suburbs .
They agreed to send the children back to school if there are spaces .
“ Truth is , we don ’ t know whether we are right to do so or no , we don ’ t know if it ’ s a mistake .
We ask ourselves this question every day , and we change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We are trying to convince ourselves that if they are reopening , they assume they can handle the situation.
” Returning students will find their classrooms running differently .
Teachers will wear masks and remind children to social distance from each other and to wash their hands several times a day .
French President Emmanuel Macron sought to reassure parents and teachers while visiting an elementary school in a town west of Paris last week .
Macron said schools would reopen gradually because he wants “ things done well.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned the president that “ children remain children .
There are spontaneous moves which are hard to prevent.
” The school expects about 50 children out of an enrolled 181 to come back this week .
Some mayors in France have refused to reopen local schools just yet .
Michele Berthy , mayor of the town of Montmorency north of Paris , sent parents a letter saying the government ’ s health guidelines were “ unenforceable.
” “ Although I ’ m for the relaunch of our economy , I am certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Berthy wrote .
Mayors in other areas set local restrictions on enrollment , such as limiting school access to children of essential workers such as police officers and health care providers , and to families whose living conditions are precarious .
That ’ s the situation in Paris , where Ingrid Rousseau hoped to send the youngest of her two children , who is 6 , back to school .
She doesn ’ t know if her son will be allowed to go , even though both she and her partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents who have been overwhelmed with homeschooling , work and domestic duties for almost two months .
“ I don ’ t feel quite up to the job of teaching , ” she said .
“ We are swamped .
We don ’ t have enough time .
And we can not do a big part of the activities they do in class.
” Paris officials estimate about 15 percent of the city ’ s students will be able to go back to school .
Other towns and cities think they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nursing and primary schools .

Nursing and primary schools start reopening across France on Tuesday as the government pushes for public life to resume after eight weeks under a coronavirus lockdown, with many parents deeply torn over sending their children back to the classroom.
Toys are disinfected at the Rothschild school in Nice, on the French Riviera, on May 11, 2020.
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The French government has started easing some of the closure and home-confinement orders it imposed on March 17 to curb infections, with businesses permitted to reopen and residents cleared to return to workplaces from Monday.
Schools are one of the biggest flash points in the government’s reopening plans, with many parents torn over the question of whether to send their children back to the classroom starting on Tuesday.
Only nursery and primary schools are set to start up at first, and classes will be capped at 10 students at preschools and 15 elsewhere. Administrators were told to prioritise instruction for children ages 5, 6 and 10.
Due to the slow startup, as well as ongoing fears about Covid-19 in hard-hit France, school attendance will not be compulsory right away. Parents and guardians may keep children at home and teachers will provide lessons like they have during the nationwide lockdown.
Students with parents who want or need to send them to school are not guaranteed places in the smaller classes and only will be allowed to attend if their school can accommodate them.
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer estimated that 80 percent to 85 percent of France’s 50,500 preschools and elementary schools will open this week. Secondary schools in regions with fewer virus cases are expected to reopen on May 18. A target date hasn’t been scheduled yet for France’s lycées, or high schools.
Given the ambiguous education guidance and uncertainties over spreading coronavirus, French parents are conflicted as they puzzle over making the most responsible decision.
Cecile Bardin, whose two sons are 6 and 2, said she thinks it is “too soon” to put them back in their nursery and primary schools in Paris.
“I am not reassured at the moment, because it will be very difficult to keep safe distance at school, especially for the little ones, who will want to play together,” Bardin told the Associated Press.
Mathilde Manaud and her partner are raising their 3-year-old and 7-year-old in Le Pre Saint-Gervais, in the French capital’s eastern suburbs. They agreed to send the children back to school if there are spaces.
“Truth is, we don’t know whether we are right to do so or no, we don’t know if it’s a mistake. We ask ourselves this question every day, and we change our mind every day,” Manaud said. “We are trying to convince ourselves that if they are reopening, they assume they can handle the situation.”
Returning students will find their classrooms running differently. Teachers will wear masks and remind children to social distance from each other and to wash their hands several times a day.
French President Emmanuel Macron sought to reassure parents and teachers while visiting an elementary school in a town west of Paris last week. Macron said schools would reopen gradually because he wants “things done well.”
The school's director, Mathieu Morel, warned the president that “children remain children. There are spontaneous moves which are hard to prevent.”
The school expects about 50 children out of an enrolled 181 to come back this week.
Some mayors in France have refused to reopen local schools just yet. Michele Berthy, mayor of the town of Montmorency north of Paris, sent parents a letter saying the government’s health guidelines were “unenforceable.”
“Although I’m for the relaunch of our economy, I am certain that public health must remain our priority,” Berthy wrote.
Mayors in other areas set local restrictions on enrollment, such as limiting school access to children of essential workers such as police officers and health care providers, and to families whose living conditions are precarious.
That’s the situation in Paris, where Ingrid Rousseau hoped to send the youngest of her two children, who is 6, back to school. She doesn’t know if her son will be allowed to go, even though both she and her partner are working.
Rousseau noted the fatigue of parents who have been overwhelmed with homeschooling, work and domestic duties for almost two months.
“I don’t feel quite up to the job of teaching,” she said. “We are swamped. We don’t have enough time. And we cannot do a big part of the activities they do in class.”
Paris officials estimate about 15 percent of the city’s students will be able to go back to school. Other towns and cities think they can serve about half of the children normally in nursing and primary schools.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-05-11--Trump shrugs off concern about Covid-19 spreading in White House

US President Donald Trump holds a coronavirus outbreak response press briefing in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington , DC , on May 11 , 2020 .
US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus in the White House but said he may limit contact with Vice President Mike Pence .
Trump , speaking to masked reporters in the White House Rose Garden , suggested that Pence was in quarantine after his press secretary tested positive , though he did not say it outright .
Katie Miller , the spokeswoman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coronavirus task force , tested positive for coronavirus last week along with a personal valet to Trump .
Three members of the task force have since gone into quarantine – infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci , Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and Stephen Hahn , head of the Food and Drug Administration .
A Pence spokesman denied over the weekend that the vice president was also in quarantine but Trump suggested he was when asked on Monday whether he had considered limiting his contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he and I will be talking about that , '' Trump said at an occasionally testy press conference .
`` During this quarantine period , we 'll probably talk , '' Trump said .
`` I have not seen him since then . ''
`` We can talk on the phone , '' he said of Pence .
`` He tested negative , so we have to understand that , but he comes into contact with a lot of people . ''
Trump sought to play down any concerns about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the West Wing , where the president works out of the Oval Office .
`` We want to keep our country running so we have a lot of people coming in and out ( of the White House ) and many of those people , most of those people , are tested , '' he said .
`` Everybody coming into the president 's office gets tested , and I 've felt no vulnerability whatsoever , '' he said .
Trump , who is desperately seeking to reboot the economy ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was making `` tremendous strides '' in ramping up testing and the number of virus infections is `` coming down very rapidly . ''
He said it was essential to get the country reopened .
`` The people want our country open , '' the president said .
`` Some states could be moving more quickly , '' he said .
`` People are dying in the lockdown position too . ''
Trump abruptly ended the press conference after an exchange with a CBS News reporter who asked him why when Americans were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the US was doing better than other countries when it came to testing .
`` Well , they 're losing their lives everywhere in the world , '' Trump said .
`` And maybe that 's a question you should ask China .
Do n't ask me , ask China that question , OK ? ''
The CBS reporter , Weijia Jiang , who is of Chinese-American origin , than asked Trump `` Sir , why are you saying that to me specifically ? ''
`` I 'm telling .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nasty question like that , '' Trump replied before abruptly ending the press conference .
‘ Scary to go to work ’ Though it may appear spacious in movies and TV shows , the West Wing is actually rather cramped , making social distancing difficult .
It houses not just the president 's office but also those of some of his closest advisers , the press briefing room and the desks of White House correspondents , who work elbow to elbow .
Kevin Hassett , a senior economic advisor to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is `` scary to go to work . ''
`` I would be safer sitting at home in my house than going into a West Wing that with even all the testing in the world and the best medical team on Earth , is a relatively crammed place , '' Hassett told another network , CNN .
In a memo issued on Monday , the White House instructed all staff to wear a mask when inside the West Wing , except when at their desks .
Unlike a number of other world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been wearing a mask in public .
He said Monday that Americans have `` learned about face masks . ''
`` The good and the bad , by the way , '' he said .
`` It 's not a one-sided thing , believe it or not , '' Trump said without elaborating .
The United States is the country the hardest-hit by the virus with more than 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million infections .

US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus in the White House but said he may limit contact with Vice President Mike Pence.
US President Donald Trump holds a coronavirus outbreak response press briefing in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 11, 2020.
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Trump, speaking to masked reporters in the White House Rose Garden, suggested that Pence was in quarantine after his press secretary tested positive, though he did not say it outright.
Katie Miller, the spokeswoman for Pence, who heads the White House's coronavirus task force, tested positive for coronavirus last week along with a personal valet to Trump.
Three members of the task force have since gone into quarantine – infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Stephen Hahn, head of the Food and Drug Administration.
A Pence spokesman denied over the weekend that the vice president was also in quarantine but Trump suggested he was when asked on Monday whether he had considered limiting his contact with him.
"I would say that he and I will be talking about that," Trump said at an occasionally testy press conference.
"During this quarantine period, we'll probably talk," Trump said. "I have not seen him since then."
"We can talk on the phone," he said of Pence. "He tested negative, so we have to understand that, but he comes into contact with a lot of people."
‘No vulnerability whatsoever’
Trump sought to play down any concerns about an outbreak of the virus in the cramped quarters of the West Wing, where the president works out of the Oval Office.
"We want to keep our country running so we have a lot of people coming in and out (of the White House) and many of those people, most of those people, are tested," he said.
"Everybody coming into the president's office gets tested, and I've felt no vulnerability whatsoever," he said.
Trump, who is desperately seeking to reboot the economy ahead of the November election, said the US was making "tremendous strides" in ramping up testing and the number of virus infections is "coming down very rapidly."
He said it was essential to get the country reopened.
"The people want our country open," the president said.
"Some states could be moving more quickly," he said. "People are dying in the lockdown position too."
Trump abruptly ended the press conference after an exchange with a CBS News reporter who asked him why when Americans were losing their lives did he keep insisting that the US was doing better than other countries when it came to testing.
"Well, they're losing their lives everywhere in the world," Trump said. "And maybe that's a question you should ask China. Don't ask me, ask China that question, OK?"
The CBS reporter, Weijia Jiang, who is of Chinese-American origin, than asked Trump "Sir, why are you saying that to me specifically?"
"I'm telling. I'm saying it to anybody who would ask a nasty question like that," Trump replied before abruptly ending the press conference.
‘Scary to go to work’
Though it may appear spacious in movies and TV shows, the West Wing is actually rather cramped, making social distancing difficult.
It houses not just the president's office but also those of some of his closest advisers, the press briefing room and the desks of White House correspondents, who work elbow to elbow.
Kevin Hassett, a senior economic advisor to the president, told CBS over the weekend that it is "scary to go to work."
"I would be safer sitting at home in my house than going into a West Wing that with even all the testing in the world and the best medical team on Earth, is a relatively crammed place," Hassett told another network, CNN.
In a memo issued on Monday, the White House instructed all staff to wear a mask when inside the West Wing, except when at their desks.
Unlike a number of other world leaders, the 73-year-old Trump has not been wearing a mask in public.
He said Monday that Americans have "learned about face masks."
"The good and the bad, by the way," he said.
"It's not a one-sided thing, believe it or not," Trump said without elaborating.
The United States is the country the hardest-hit by the virus with more than 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million infections.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-12--Gunmen attack Kabul hospital where MSF aid group runs a clinic

Afghan security forces arrive at the site of the attack in Kabul on May 12 , 2020 .
Gunmen attacked a hospital in the Afghan capital , Kabul , on Tuesday where the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders , also known by its French acronym MSF , runs a maternity clinic , officials said .
The Afghan interior ministry said at least eight people were killed in the attack on the Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital and several more were injured .
The 100-bed government-run facility is supported by Doctors Without Borders , which is also known by its French name Médecins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wahidullah Mayar , a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health .
There was no immediate claim of responsibility , but the Taliban said they were not involved .
Security forces were working to counter the attack , an interior ministry source said .
He added that the deputy health minister may have been visiting the clinic at the time of the attack .
Two other security sources said explosions had been heard at the site .
MSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
It says on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in one of Kabul ’ s poorest neighbourhoods .
A series of bloody attacks have taken place in the capital in recent months claimed by the Islamic State group .
On Monday , security forces said they had arrested three senior members of the so-called Islamic State group ( IS ) , including a regional leader .
Last week , security forces killed and arrested several members of an IS cell that authorities said was responsible for several high-profile attacks in Kabul including one on a Sikh temple in March .
Roadside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which wounded four civilians , were claimed by the group .
Afghanistan is also facing violence around the country from the Taliban even as the United States tries to usher in peace talks after signing a troop withdrawal agreement in February with the militants .
The Taliban say they are holding back from attacking urban centres and their operations are aimed at government security forces .

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered the country's security forces Tuesday to resume offensive operations against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, following two separate attacks that killed dozens of people.
Afghan security forces stand guard outside Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital which came under attack in Kabul, Afghanistan May 12, 2020.
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"I order all the security forces to end their active defence position, return to offensive postures, and resume their operations against the enemy," Ghani said in a televised address.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bombing at a funeral in the eastern province of Nangarhar. No group has yet claimed responsibility for a separate attack on a maternity hospital in the capital Kabul but Ghani blamed the Taliban.
"Today we witnessed terrorist attacks by the Taliban and Daesh groups on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar, as well as other attacks in the country," Ghani said, using the Arabic abbreviation for the IS group.
Earlier Tuesday, gunmen stormed a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital, killing at least 16 people – including newborns and nurses – as a suicide blast at a funeral in the country’s restive east left two dozen mourners dead.
Three gunmen held siege to the Barchi National Hospital in Kabul for hours after the early-morning attack before security forces killed them in a clearance operation, the interior ministry said.
The 100-bed government-run facility is supported by Doctors Without Borders, which is also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), said Wahidullah Mayar, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health.
Heavily armed security forces were seen carrying infants away from the scene – at least one wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket.
"The fatalities also include mothers and nurses," interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said.
Some 15 people were wounded and more than 100 – including three foreign nationals – were rescued, he said.
The hospital is located in the west of the city, home to the capital's minority Shiite Hazara community – a frequent target of hardline Sunni militants from the Islamic State group.
Tuesday's attack was the latest assault on the country's already stretched health sector, with facilities and medical personnel frequently caught in the crossfire during decades of war in the country.
"We call on all sides to stop attacking hospitals and health workers," said deputy health minister in the city, Waheed Majroh.
Around an hour after the Kabul assault, a suicide bomber killed at least 24 people at the funeral of a local police commander in eastern Nangarhar province, according to provincial spokesman Ataullah Khogyani.
The attacker detonated explosives in the middle of the ceremony.
Amir Mohammad, who was wounded in the blast, said thousands of people had gathered for the funeral, an event that often draws huge crowds in Afghanistan.
The Taliban denied involvement in either attack.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called the attacks "appalling" and noted that the Taliban, who signed a February 29 accord with the United States, denied responsibility.
"The Taliban and the Afghan government should cooperate to bring the perpetrators to justice," Pompeo said in a statement.
The latest violence comes as Afghanistan grapples with myriad crises, including a rise in militant operations across the country, a surge in coronavirus infections, and a reduction in foreign military support.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-05-12--French downturn ‘easing’ after two-month lockdown knocked 6% off GDP

The seat of the Banque de France , the country 's central bank , in Paris .
France ’ s economic downturn is easing as the country emerges from a lockdown imposed in mid-March , although activity remains mired at levels far below normal , the central bank said on Tuesday .
The euro zone ’ s second-biggest economy was operating 27 % below normal levels in April after 32 % in the second half of March , the Bank of France said , basing its estimates on responses from its monthly business climate survey .
`` The ambition we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to recover another 10 points , '' Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau said on France Inter radio .
France began unwinding its strict lockdown on Monday , allowing non-essential shops , factories and other businesses to reopen for the first time in eight weeks .
The central bank said manufacturing activity remained down 37 % last month , but was nonetheless better than the 48 % seen in March , while private sector service firms ' activity was reduced by 27 % in April after 37 % in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venture to make a quarterly GDP forecast it usually does when it publishes its business climate survey given the unprecedented nature of the current downturn .
However , Villeroy said that the two months of lockdown cost the economy 6 % in lost activity this year so far , although the final bill would probably be higher as the recovery would be uneven .

France’s economic downturn is easing as the country emerges from a lockdown imposed in mid-March, although activity remains mired at levels far below normal, the central bank said on Tuesday.
The seat of the Banque de France, the country's central bank, in Paris.
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The euro zone’s second-biggest economy was operating 27% below normal levels in April after 32% in the second half of March, the Bank of France said, basing its estimates on responses from its monthly business climate survey.
"The ambition we could have for the end of May is to recover another 10 points," Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau said on France Inter radio.
France began unwinding its strict lockdown on Monday, allowing non-essential shops, factories and other businesses to reopen for the first time in eight weeks.
The central bank said manufacturing activity remained down 37% last month, but was nonetheless better than the 48% seen in March, while private sector service firms' activity was reduced by 27% in April after 37% in March.
The Bank of France did not venture to make a quarterly GDP forecast it usually does when it publishes its business climate survey given the unprecedented nature of the current downturn.
However, Villeroy said that the two months of lockdown cost the economy 6% in lost activity this year so far, although the final bill would probably be higher as the recovery would be uneven.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-12--‘Shop till you drop?’ Luxury stores back in business as France eases lockdown

Employees stand outside a reopened Chanel fashion boutique in Paris on May 11 , 2020 .
As France began to exit its strict coronavirus lockdown on Monday , many of its luxury brands also opened their doors , giving sanitary protocols a makeover and testing people ’ s appetite for splurging after a shutdown that has rocked economies worldwide .
“ It ’ s a bit an act of faith today , ” said Edouard Lefebvre , who heads the business district on the Champs-Elysées avenue , packed with crowds of locals and foreign tourists in normal times .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were open Monday , Lefebvre said , reflecting the extensive preparations needed to safely receive customers and the hesitant steps many people took toward pre-pandemic routines .
“ Clients won ’ t come back on day one .
It takes time to get used to coming back to the Champs-Elysees , to come back to Paris , ” Lefebvre said in an interview with the Associated Press .
Still , pictures of long lines standing outside luxury stores , posted on social media later in the day , suggested many shoppers were willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C ] ustomers seemingly ready to shop until they drop and consume like there is no tomorrow are queuing in front of the flagship of flagships , namely the Louis Vuitton Champs Elysées boutique , ” commented one Twitter user in a social media post .
At Louis Vuitton 's store on Paris 's grand Place Vendome square , which sells everything from €645 ( $ 700 ) cocktail shakers to jewellery worth hundreds of thousands , a few local clients kept business ticking over .
`` It 's a friend 's birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Paris resident Hajar .
`` It 'll be the first time we 've seen each other in two months . ''
At the Hermès shop on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore , there was even a semblance of business as usual .
A shop assistant discreetly kept count of the number of people milling around at any one time – around 50 at one point in early afternoon , across two floors .
And one shopper said she had been told to make an appointment if she wanted to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They always make things difficult at Hermès , '' said Blessing Williams , a 23-year-old model from Nigeria who lives in Paris .
She still came away with a pair of sandals .
But travel restrictions and the resulting dearth of international tourists will remain a major drag for months to come on luxury shopping capitals such as Paris , or Milan , where fashion firms are set to reopen stores on May 18 .
Depending on the brand , foreign tourists usually make up between 35 percent and 55 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Jefferies analyst Flavio Cereda .
In Germany , where small stores have been open for three weeks , well-heeled shoppers looking for luxury are still few and far between , suit maker Hugo Boss said last week .
The plush changing cabins at Vuitton 's Vendome shop , now regularly disinfected , were a lot less busy than usual on Monday , assistants said on Monday .
A nearby Chanel store was quieter than before the crisis too , staff said .
Hermès boss Axel Dumas , mingling with employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment on how the first few hours of trade had gone .
Despite signs of recovery in China , the industry 's biggest market , global sales of luxury goods are expected to slump by up to 50 percent this year , the consultancy Bain forecast last week .
For now , brands are focused on easing into new hygiene routines , including making the use of face masks compulsory .
At Vuitton in Paris , owned by the LVMH conglomerate , clothes that are tried on are set aside to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 48-hour quarantine .
Cleaning protocols for other items vary , depending on how close they come to people 's faces or the materials involved .
Christian Dior , another LVMH label , and Chanel , a privately owned group , have also erected plexiglass shields by the tills .

As France began to exit its strict coronavirus lockdown on Monday, many of its luxury brands also opened their doors, giving sanitary protocols a makeover and testing people’s appetite for splurging after a shutdown that has rocked economies worldwide.
Employees stand outside a reopened Chanel fashion boutique in Paris on May 11, 2020.
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“It’s a bit an act of faith today,” said Edouard Lefebvre, who heads the business district on the Champs-Elysées avenue, packed with crowds of locals and foreign tourists in normal times.
Only half of the avenue’s shops were open Monday, Lefebvre said, reflecting the extensive preparations needed to safely receive customers and the hesitant steps many people took toward pre-pandemic routines.
“Clients won’t come back on day one. It takes time to get used to coming back to the Champs-Elysees, to come back to Paris,” Lefebvre said in an interview with the Associated Press.
Still, pictures of long lines standing outside luxury stores, posted on social media later in the day, suggested many shoppers were willing to take the plunge.
“[C]ustomers seemingly ready to shop until they drop and consume like there is no tomorrow are queuing in front of the flagship of flagships, namely the Louis Vuitton Champs Elysées boutique,” commented one Twitter user in a social media post.
Today, as France is slowly getting out of confinement, customers seemingly ready to shop until they drop and consume like there is no tomorrow are queuing in front of the flagship of flagships, namely the Louis Vuitton Champs Elysées boutique.
📸 Camille Millerand for Le Monde pic.twitter.com/GDsK46aBlj — @PAM_BOY (@pam_boy) May 11, 2020
Tourists missing
At Louis Vuitton's store on Paris's grand Place Vendome square, which sells everything from €645 ($700) cocktail shakers to jewellery worth hundreds of thousands, a few local clients kept business ticking over.
"It's a friend's birthday and we're buying her a wallet," said Paris resident Hajar. "It'll be the first time we've seen each other in two months."
At the Hermès shop on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, there was even a semblance of business as usual.
A shop assistant discreetly kept count of the number of people milling around at any one time – around 50 at one point in early afternoon, across two floors.
And one shopper said she had been told to make an appointment if she wanted to discuss buying a pricey "Kelly" handbag.
"They always make things difficult at Hermès," said Blessing Williams, a 23-year-old model from Nigeria who lives in Paris. She still came away with a pair of sandals.
Des filles d'attente se forment avant l'ouverture de certains magasins rue Sainte-Catherine à Bordeaux. #déconfinementjour1 #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/UbVfJj5c2T — Hippolyte Radisson (@H_Radisson) May 11, 2020
But travel restrictions and the resulting dearth of international tourists will remain a major drag for months to come on luxury shopping capitals such as Paris, or Milan, where fashion firms are set to reopen stores on May 18.
Depending on the brand, foreign tourists usually make up between 35 percent and 55 percent of luxury labels' revenue in Europe, according to Jefferies analyst Flavio Cereda.
Handbags in quarantine
In Germany, where small stores have been open for three weeks, well-heeled shoppers looking for luxury are still few and far between, suit maker Hugo Boss said last week.
The plush changing cabins at Vuitton's Vendome shop, now regularly disinfected, were a lot less busy than usual on Monday, assistants said on Monday.
>> Parisians enjoy coffee, company and haircuts as lockdown lifted
A nearby Chanel store was quieter than before the crisis too, staff said. Hermès boss Axel Dumas, mingling with employees at the Faubourg Saint-Honoré shop, declined to comment on how the first few hours of trade had gone.
Despite signs of recovery in China, the industry's biggest market, global sales of luxury goods are expected to slump by up to 50 percent this year, the consultancy Bain forecast last week.
For now, brands are focused on easing into new hygiene routines, including making the use of face masks compulsory.
At Vuitton in Paris, owned by the LVMH conglomerate, clothes that are tried on are set aside to be steamed, and handbags are put in a 48-hour quarantine.
Cleaning protocols for other items vary, depending on how close they come to people's faces or the materials involved.
Christian Dior, another LVMH label, and Chanel, a privately owned group, have also erected plexiglass shields by the tills.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AP)
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france24--2020-05-12--Bolsonaro allows Brazilians to go to gyms, hair salons, as Covid-19 cases spike

An agent checks the temperature of a driver at the entrance of Niteroi city , near Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , on May 11 , 2020 , as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday declared gyms and hair salons as essential services that can stay open through the new coronavirus outbreak , easing measures to control the disease despite new cases and deaths surging in the country .
Brazil has now registered a total of 168,331 confirmed cases of the virus and is closing in on the number of cases recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak has been slowing .
To date , Brazil has confirmed 11,519 deaths due to the disease .
The president has argued that state and municipal governments have gone overboard in social isolation measures to restrict the disease 's spread and that it is overly damaging to the economy .
`` The question of life has to be taken in parallel with jobs , '' Bolsonaro told reporters outside his official residence .
`` Without the economy there is no life , there are no doctors , there are no hospital supplies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishments to stay open comes as Brazil registered 5,632 new coronavirus cases on Monday and 396 deaths from the disease , according to the Health Ministry .
After initially decreeing that establishments such as pharmacies and grocery stores were essential , Bolsonaro later expanded that list to include lotteries and churches .
This third decree expands the list of essential business further , also extending it to industrial production and civil construction , with Bolsonaro promising even more easing to come .
Health Minister Nelson Teich told a briefing on Monday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's decision to allow gyms and beauty salons to reopen .
The ministry also said in a statement that it had issued guidelines to state and municipal authorities on the range of social distancing standards , from strict to loose , saying the ultimate decisions rests with local governments .
`` It is local health authorities ' responsibility to adopt or loosen non-pharmalogical measures , '' it said .
Global automaker Fiat Chrysler on Monday said it was gradually restarting production at three factories in Brazil , with more than half of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to work .
The plants had been halted for 48 days , Fiat Chrysler said in a statement .
The first task was to train employees on new health precautions , it said .

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday declared gyms and hair salons as essential services that can stay open through the new coronavirus outbreak, easing measures to control the disease despite new cases and deaths surging in the country.
An agent checks the temperature of a driver at the entrance of Niteroi city, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 11, 2020, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues.
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Brazil has now registered a total of 168,331 confirmed cases of the virus and is closing in on the number of cases recorded in Germany and France, where the outbreak has been slowing. To date, Brazil has confirmed 11,519 deaths due to the disease.
The president has argued that state and municipal governments have gone overboard in social isolation measures to restrict the disease's spread and that it is overly damaging to the economy.
"The question of life has to be taken in parallel with jobs," Bolsonaro told reporters outside his official residence. "Without the economy there is no life, there are no doctors, there are no hospital supplies."
Bolsonaro's latest decree allowing more establishments to stay open comes as Brazil registered 5,632 new coronavirus cases on Monday and 396 deaths from the disease, according to the Health Ministry.
After initially decreeing that establishments such as pharmacies and grocery stores were essential, Bolsonaro later expanded that list to include lotteries and churches.
This third decree expands the list of essential business further, also extending it to industrial production and civil construction, with Bolsonaro promising even more easing to come.
Health Minister Nelson Teich told a briefing on Monday that the ministry had not been consulted about Bolsonaro's decision to allow gyms and beauty salons to reopen.
The ministry also said in a statement that it had issued guidelines to state and municipal authorities on the range of social distancing standards, from strict to loose, saying the ultimate decisions rests with local governments.
"It is local health authorities' responsibility to adopt or loosen non-pharmalogical measures," it said.
Global automaker Fiat Chrysler on Monday said it was gradually restarting production at three factories in Brazil, with more than half of its roughly 10,000 employees in the country already returning to work.
The plants had been halted for 48 days, Fiat Chrysler said in a statement. The first task was to train employees on new health precautions, it said.
(REUTERS)
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