They are invading Parisian cinemas, and now the metro. Bedbugs have become the nightmare of many Parisians, some of whom have completely stopped going to dark rooms. And they also put pressure on Paris City Hall, summoned to take the subject head on. Criticized by his opposition to the Paris Council, the First Deputy Emmanuel Grégoire took his keyboard to write to the Prime Minister and inform her of this “scourge”.
“The State must urgently bring together all the stakeholders concerned in order to deploy an action plan commensurate with this scourge as the whole of France prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024,” writes Emmanuel Grégoire in this letter dated this Thursday, September 28. The first deputy, who notes that “the fight against these pests costs on average 866 euros for an individual”, asks the government “to support individuals with financial support” and also wants “a compulsory declaration mechanism”, that the regional health agency would put in place.
Aid for independent cinemas
Paris City Hall has been under fire for several weeks over the proliferation of bedbugs. “The City has failed to raise awareness and contain this health problem which now has significant economic repercussions in the field of culture, particularly on independent Parisian cinemas which are already facing a precarious financial situation,” criticizes a wish from the group Changing Paris (LR), tabled on the occasion of the next Paris Council, which will be held next week.
The group led by Rachida Dati proposes to “support independent cinemas in Paris in preventing bedbugs” and to grant them financial aid. He also recalls having made a request in November 2022 for the creation of “a brigade to combat harmful species” in each district, a request rejected by the town hall.
A fight plan from 2018
“This situation could have been avoided if they had listened to us,” criticizes David Alphand, deputy vice-president of the group, worrying about the “psychological consequences” for those affected. “It’s unbearable, we can’t sleep anymore, and it’s a disincentive for tourism, it’s really an emergency, it’s incomprehensible that the city hasn’t taken control of it,” comments the advisor. from Paris, elected in the 16th arrondissement.
The City responds that it has put in place “an integrated plan to combat bedbugs, adopted in 2018, and managed by the public health department of the City of Paris”. This plan includes a component of prevention, information, chemical and mechanical control and special management of infested bulky items, “which must be wrapped in a special way”, explained Emmanuel Grégoire this Thursday at a press conference.
Currently in Paris, social housing tenants all pay four euros per year so that bedbug treatment is free, indicates Paris City Hall. Which reminds us that the public health department can be contacted if necessary by the social action center to intervene free of charge in the most precarious homes.