Paris police imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Paris time on the République esplanade and specified streets near Les Halles, limiting movement after weekend protest violence.
The order began Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. ET (21:00 UTC) and is due to end at midnight ET as Tuesday, Oct. 20, begins (04:00 UTC). Its perimeter does not cover either surrounding district in full.
Residents may enter if they can show they live within the perimeter. Workers qualify when their jobs require access; shopkeepers and emergency personnel are also exempt.
A separate restriction on undeclared processions, parades and gatherings applies in designated areas of Paris. It began at 2 p.m. ET Monday (18:00 UTC) and is scheduled to end at midnight ET Tuesday (04:00 UTC).
The measures follow protests over living costs and school conditions that included violence and looting. Police said the restrictions are intended to protect people and property. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had instructed prefects to introduce partial curfews in affected areas after consulting mayors and chambers of commerce, while ruling out a citywide curfew.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire urged officials to use the restrictions only briefly and in exceptional circumstances. The Finance Ministry is scheduled to meet business groups, banks and insurers at 5 a.m. ET Tuesday (09:00 UTC) to discuss the response to damage from the unrest.
