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French authorities have announced a ban on public alcohol consumption in Paris from Friday, as hospitals in and around the capital are overwhelmed following a record-breaking heatwave.
Paris police prefect Patrice Faure told reporters that alcohol consumption in the streets and other public places, as well as takeaway alcohol sales, will be banned.
“We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities,” Faure said, adding that “the number of hospitalisations keeps increasing.”
“I must ensure that the pressure decreases,” he said, listing a series of measures.
An order, published, prohibits public consumption of alcohol between 12 pm Friday and 7 am Saturday, and between 12 pm Saturday and 7 am Sunday.
“This ban does not apply to areas of public space normally occupied by restaurants and bars holding the necessary permits,” the Paris police said.
Takeaway alcohol sales are banned from 6 pm Friday to 7 am Saturday and from 6 pm Saturday to 7 am Sunday.
“This ban also applies to retail stores that exclusively sell such beverages,” the decree said.
Faure added that the Paris fire brigade had seen the number of its interventions double, reaching more than 2,500 operations on Thursday.
