a reduction in health measures to preserve economic recovery as much as possible

The timetable for relief of health restrictions announced allowsmany economic sectors, to see the end of the tunnel. This is the case for nightclubs which will be able to reopen on February 16 even though they have been closed since the beginning of December. On February 16, you will also be able to drink and eat standing up in bars, restaurants and concert halls.

The lifting of these constraints should allow customers to return in slightly greater numbers. According to a survey carried out at the beginning of January by unions in this sector, 85% recorded a drop of a third in their activity. Professional events such as trade fairs and seminars, which had been canceled, will now be able to be organized again. Enough to put a smile on the face of caterers, for example, who have often seen their activity drop by more than 70% in recent weeks.

Teleworking: the obligation will disappear

The rule on teleworking will also change and that too is good news. For business leaders first: most can no longer bear having to organize at least three days of remote working per week, under penalty of sanctions. According to them, this disrupts their activity, weighs on the atmosphere in the teams, and this week, they did not fail to express their annoyance to the government. From February 2, teleworking will no longer be compulsory but only recommended.

This should also make it possible to bring people back on the trains because the SNCF is recording 50% fewer “business” travelers at the start of the year due to teleworking. There are also people in the restaurants, which will find the lunchtime customers or even in the boutiques, the department stores… If the start of the sales is so sluggish, with more than 30% less turnover, according to professionals in the commerce is good because of teleworking and health restrictions.

The government seeks to preserve the economy as much as possible

There is no question that Omicron will slow down the recovery, slow down growth, further weigh down public accounts. The executive also knows that the economy is a story of confidence and dynamics. Giving a timetable for exiting the restrictions encourages people to plan ahead, to consume, to spend the money lying dormant in savings accounts – the 170 billion euros accumulated since the start of the crisis – and encourages investment. Three months before the presidential election, Emmanuel Macron cannot deprive himself of it.