Authorities in Paris imposed another curfew on the French capital over the weekend with rioting, violent clashes and looting causing public order to be disturbed, local police said on Sunday. The order followed reports that the earlier curfew aided in restoring calm to affected areas.
The new restrictions will run from 2100 GMT on Tuesday until 0400 GMT on Wednesday. They will be applying at various venues, such as Place de la République in the eastern part of the central Paris area with many clashes reported during the weekend and Les Halles, a commercial district with many shops and shopping facilities.
Even public gatherings have been prohibited in some sensitive areas of the capital since 1800 GMT on Tuesday. These include Les Halles, around the Presidential Palace, the buildings of Parliament and the Senate, the Champs-Élysées shopping street and Place Vendôme, which is home to luxury jewellery boutiques.
Areas around train stations will also be under restrictions, in an attempt to maintain public order and public safety following further unrest.
The new curfew follows a round of curfews which authorities said had helped to restore peace following a night of curfews imposed over the weekend that dealt with violence and looting. Paris Police is trying to restore order and prevent new outbreaks of violence in central Paris.
Significant bourgeois shopping neighbourhoods, public squares and important political buildings have all been targeted, raising fears of the vulnerable effect that more violence will have on residents, businesses and visitors.
By cutting back on such public assemblies in areas believed to be at risk of renewed violence, the measures will curb the presence of large numbers during a period when such protests have been so common. The people affected in the affected districts will be asked by police to abide by the restrictions and follow their instructions.
The situation is under observation as Paris aims to keep its peace after the chaos of the weekend. However, any further progress will rely on how things unfold and if public order can be maintained with the new measures in place.