As part of a social media campaign to draw attention to this “total injustice”, some 30 shop owners responded to a call to have their naked bodies, from the waist up, photographed from behind.
Each person wore a hat bearing the name of their business. The pictures were then posted alongside the message “the state is stripping us naked”.
The call came from socialist town councillor Hélène Wasselin, who is also the manager of the Esquisse de Soi hairdressing and make-up salon.
À #Boulognesurmer , ils se dénudent pour protester contre la fermeture de leur commerce ➡️ https://t.co/N1LAquAku9 pic.twitter.com/bE8H1wS8qd
— La Voix Boulogne (@VDN_Boulogne) November 1, 2020
She told AFP she was inundated with responses from "florists, food traders, clothing and shoe boutiques and hairdressers" all angry at being forced to shut up shop.
“Lockdown is something we do willingly, because we know that hospitals lack the means – but either we all confine ourselves, or we open everything, Wasselin argued.
Sales ban
In the name of fairness, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that as of Tuesday products sold by small businesses, such as books, would no longer be available in larger stores, such as supermarkets.
France’s Federation of Commerce and Distribution was quick to oppose the move, saying it made little sense because it would complicate people’s lives without improving the health situation.
Instead, the body has asked the government to consider a gradual reopening of small shops.
