The 2024 Olympic Games are an “opportunity” for France, in the words of the President of the Republic. An ordeal for Parisians who must “anticipate the Games”, according to the slogan of an advertisement displayed in the streets of the capital since the beginning of January.
This motto is also prominently featured on the website of the government, which contains recommendations in the form of questions and answers intended for “Parisians”. A small selection of tips to follow for traveling, working, and even getting delivered…
Limit your movements
Unsurprisingly, the Olympic Games will have a significant impact on our travel. Crowded public transport, roads closed to traffic, or even closed metro stations… To help residents find their way, an interactive map has been published by the Ministry of Transport. It lists the already predictable impacts on roads and public transport.
However, the watchword remains the same: reduce your travel as much as possible. So the website Anticipate.gouv.fr highly recommend […] to make essential journeys at less busy times, to take less frequented routes” or even “to use alternative means of transport”. Like walking or cycling for example. Carpooling and the use of public transport are also strongly encouraged for journeys of more than 10 kilometers.
Favor teleworking
And what better way to limit travel than to encourage teleworking. Employers are recommended to “adapt the working conditions” of their teams. “If possible, for your employees who will not be on leave, encourage teleworking”. And for meetings, “promote videoconferences”.
The government goes even further, by inviting companies to “study the possibility of staggering the intake and end of service” of their employees “depending on the tests” and “the security perimeters in Paris and Île-de-France” . This is to avoid “disruptions linked to the influx of spectators on public transport or diversions by car on the roads”.
Recommendations which did not fail to annoy certain sectors. First and foremost, the hotel and catering industry. In The Parisian, Frank Delvau, president of the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (Umih), sees something “very negative” in this message. “It’s scandalous, the government is telling people: Stay at home, don’t move, watch the Olympics on TV! We are scaring the people of Ile-de-France by advising them not to go out, not to go to Paris during the Games”, laments the trade unionist.
Adapt your deliveries of goods and packages
Especially since schedules and the organization of work are complemented by other recommendations, more or less restrictive for the operation of companies. They particularly concern deliveries of goods, which must also be “anticipated”. For example, traders are invited to plan for stocks.
It is also advisable to have “larger volumes delivered and less often”. Or even, to “rearrange the hours of supply or delivery of goods during off-peak hours”. At night, for example. And this, while taking into account “traffic plans in the area concerned”.
For individuals, the government invites, for once, “to anticipate” these deliveries so that the packages are delivered “before July 24” or before the start of the Games, or “after September 8” at the end of the Paralympics. A favorable slot is also open “between the two Olympics, i.e. between August 12 and 27, 2024.”
Postpone your move
Indications which also apply to moves planned for this summer. However, if it is impossible to postpone your move, it is recommended to “favor hours and days with less traffic”.
In addition, for moves within areas prohibited from traffic, trucks must first be authorized to move within this red perimeter. To do this, they will need to register on a dedicated platform which is expected to open in the coming weeks.