"Working from Home but No Deliveries Allowed" Controversy Over 2024 Paris Olympic Guidelines

by Lee Hyunwoo

Published 06 Feb.2024 10:05(KST)

The French government is facing controversy after ordering Paris residents to work from home during the Paris Olympics scheduled for July this year, considering traffic congestion, while simultaneously recommending a ban on delivery orders. Residents near the stadium are strongly opposing the anticipated lockdown-level movement restrictions similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with small business owners.

[Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]

According to local media France24 on the 5th (local time), the French government announced through a public information site that delivery vehicle movement will be difficult due to traffic control during the Olympic period, and recommended avoiding delivery services during the Olympic period (July 26 to August 12) and the Paralympic period (August 27 to September 8).

Previously, the French government recommended companies in the Paris area to increase the number of work-from-home days during the Olympics, and the recommendation to ban deliveries has intensified opposition. In November last year, during former Prime Minister ?lisabeth Borne’s administration, a public document advised public officials in the ?le-de-France (metropolitan) region to increase work-from-home days in accordance with the 'exceptional situation' of the Olympics.

Moreover, residents living near the stadium must pre-register a QR code with the district office and present it to be allowed movement. This means that residents’ movement will be restricted to fully control traffic around the stadium for event operation and security.

However, not only residents but also those working in the hotel and restaurant industries are expressing dissatisfaction with these strict government measures. If lockdown measures and work-from-home policies comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic continue for a long time, small business owners will inevitably suffer enormous economic damage again. Frank Delbo, president of the Paris ?le-de-France Hotel Association, pointed out, "Work-from-home is a serious problem for us, as it directly means a decrease in customers," adding, "We know very well what happened during the COVID-19 period."