Access to Cité Island will be blocked for drivers and pedestrians who do not live in the area in the days prior to the beginning of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral – said prefect of Paris Laurent Nunez in an interview with Parisien.
"We are creating an anti-terrorism circuit known as SILT (internal safety and the fight against terrorism), which will cover the full island of Cité and most of the left-shore promenades, from Pont de la Tournelle to Pont Neuf," said the prefect.
Nunez said that about 50 heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony. Only a tiny number of guests will have access to the square before the cathedral.
According to the prefecture, from 4 to 9 December, traffic will be restricted to the Isle of Cité and the wharf on the left bank of the Seine. From 7am on Saturday 7 December to 20pm on Sunday 8 December, access will besides be closed for pedestrians. To pass, it will be essential to show the police proof of residence in the area. 9 bridges connecting Cité to the right and left banks of the Seine will be closed.
The prefect noted that all shops on Cité Island would be closed for 2 days.
"All companies on Isle of Sieve will be closed for these 2 days. The barges won't be open either. On the advanced promenades on the left bank the shops will be able to be open on Saturday until 3:00 p.m., like restaurants for lunch, but terraces are prohibited. As far as bookstores are concerned, their stands will be closed from Wednesday evening and will be searched by miners," Núñez said.
He noted that without a peculiar invitation residents would not be able to visit the cathedral and the square before it on the weekend of 7 and 8 December. However, residents will be able to enter a specially fenced area on the advanced shores, where screens will be set to broadcast the beginning ceremony. Nunez besides said that part of the right-wing part of the capital would be closed for the presidential conduct on Saturday after 5:00 p.m. and Sunday between 9:00 and 14:00.
The sky over Paris will besides be closed during the beginning ceremony.
The prefect said that events on 7 and 8 December would affect the work of public transport. All close metro stations will be closed and buses will not run. respective 1000 police officers, as well as snipers, will be deployed to defend the event. Any demonstrations will be banned around Cité Island.
As a major threat, the prefect listed the hazard of muslim terrorism. The beginning ceremony of the cathedral will take place on 7 and 8 December. The French president Emmanuel Macron is to talk on it. The French media reports that Macron, who prides himself on his promise to rebuild the cathedral destroyed by fire in 5 years, intends to make it his "mind of glory."
However, the speech originally planned inside the cathedral was transferred to the veranda after strong public criticism of accusing the president of violating the law of separating the church from the state. Meanwhile, Macron besides plans to attend Mass at the Cathedral on 8 December.
During the ceremony on 7 December there will be a dedication of a fresh altar, accompanied by a playing organ. The solemn Masses will be celebrated for 8 days, so that everyone can attend them.
The largest fire in the past of Notre Dame Cathedral occurred on 15 April 2019. The cathedral's needle collapsed, and the supporting structure went up in flames. The fire for respective hours put out over 800 people. The fire destroyed a unique wooden roof frame consisting of 800-year-old oak beams, each of which was made from a single tree trunk.
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