It’s a grand day for the French. Cafe and restaurant terraces are reopening Wednesday after a pandemic shutdown of more than six months deprived people of what feels like the essence of life in France.
The French government is lifting restrictions incrementally to stave off a resurgence of the coronavirus and give citizens back some of their signature “joie de vivre.” As part of the first stage, France’s 7 p.m. nightly curfew is being moved back to 9 p.m.
Museums, theaters, and cinemas are reopening with limited capacity, along with outside areas of restaurants.
Starting June 9, France will welcome tourists from non-EU destinations provided they have some sort of coronavirus passport or health pass.
The final phase of the three-stage reopening plan is scheduled for June 30, when the curfew will end and all other restrictions will be lifted if pandemic conditions allow.
Belgium, Hungary, and other nations already started allowing outdoor dining, while drinking and eating indoors began Monday in Britain’s pubs.
