“The incidence rate in Haute-Saintonge exceeds 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants”, is alarmed the sub-prefect of Jonzac, Estelle Leprêtre. In front of this situation, the gendarmes therefore increase the surprise checks of sanitary passes, like this Sunday 12 December, at the Jonzac convention center and at the Pons Christmas market. A means, above all, of do pedagogy and to remind the sanitary rules.
Regular rule changes that lose the Jonzacais
“I had my third dose three days ago … and my pass is not working!” deplores Anne-Marie, at the entrance to the orchid salon, in Jonzac. She is about to turn on her heels, but the gendarmes realize that it is a technical problem. “His pass is valid on the software of our phones”, notes Captain Lavaud. “It does not work on those of the hostesses, which are not yet up to date because the latest measurements are very recent!”
Because regular rule changes, in the validity of the health pass, disturb both the people checked and those who check. “I didn’t realize there was a problem and the software was not up to date”, breathes one of the hostesses of the show. More fear than harm therefore for Anne-Marie, and it is the occasion for the gendarmes to do a little pedagogy. “Because we are again in a phase of transition”, explains Estelle Leprêtre, the sub-prefect of Jonzac. “And the measures are moving very quickly, much like the virus.”
“Recall the urgency of the situation”
In addition to better explain the measurements, the gendarmes’ checks also make it possible to recall “the urgency of the situation”, notes the sub-prefect. “We forget too much that the Covid is still there, and these recurring checks serve as a reminder.”
The gendarmes of Jonzac foresee as for them “to maintain a high rate of checks, with the increase in the epidemic”, explains Captain Lavaud. “There will for example be in the Christmas markets.”