Paris bans alcohol consumption, sales amid heatwave

PARIS – French authorities said public consumption of alcohol would be banned in Paris from June 26, saying hospitals in and around the capital were overwhelmed amid a record-breaking heatwave.

“We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities,” Paris police prefect Patrice Faure said, adding that “the number of hospitalisations keeps increasing”.

“I must ensure that the pressure decreases,” he said, listing a series of measures.

Alcohol consumption in the streets and other public places, as well as takeaway alcohol sales, will be banned from June 26, Faure told reporters.

An order published on June 25 prohibits public consumption of alcohol between noon on June 26 and 7am on June 27, and between noon on June 27 and 7am on June 28.

“This ban does not apply to areas of public space normally occupied by restaurants and bars holding the necessary permits,” the Paris police prefecture said.

Takeaway alcohol sales are banned from 6pm on June 26 to 7am on June 27, and from 6pm on June 27 to 7am on June 28.

“This ban also applies to retail stores that exclusively sell such beverages,” the decree said.

Faure said the number of interventions by the Paris fire brigade had doubled, reaching more than 2,500 operations on June 25. AFP