As of 14 March 2020, all ski areas, ski resorts, touristic sites, shops, restaurants, bars & more are closed in France, in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
However, two days later, 16 March 2020, the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, which connects the Chamonix Valley (France) to the Aosta Valley (Italy), remains open.
Indeed, the traffic has substantially decreased, but the authorities are still worried.
"We have been asking for equipment (masks, hydroalcoholic gel, etc.) for more than 15 days from the central border police and this was refused to us in writing", comments David Albert, member of the night brigade and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes referent of the Alternatives police CFDT syndicate, for Le Dauphine.
The dramatic increase in the number of people in Italy affected by the coronavirus COVID-19 worries David Albert. About his own health, but especially that of the others.
"I worked last night (editor's note: 14 March) and I will be going to vote at Les Contamines-Montjoie this Sunday (editor's note: the first round of France's Municipal Elections took place on Sunday, 15 March). I can be a healthy carrier and infect fragile people", continues David Albert.
"We also have reinforcements which come from Lyon, Gaillard or Prévessin-Moëns occasionally. Potential healthy carriers who are leaving everywhere in the region", he adds.
If they do not get the necessary equipment (masks, hydroalcoholic gels, etc.), their opinion is that most of them, if not all, should be repatriated.
Especially considering that the traffic has significantly decreased since the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis has begun. "In recent days, there have been almost only heavy-goods vehicles. At most, we see two or three cars passing by during an hour", concludes David Albert.
As of 16 March 2020, there are no plans to close the Mont-Blanc tunnel.
