France: Further ambulance protests expected in Paris /update 1

Event

A disruptive "snail" (go-slow) protest held by ambulance drivers on the Paris ring road (périphérique) between Bercy and Porte d'Ivry was dispersed by security forces on Tuesday, November 6, and 14 drivers were arrested. Other protests had been held near Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). Similar protests were also reported in central Lille.

The Association for the Defense of Health Carriers has warned of further protests in the coming days, including on November 7; significant transportation disruptions are possible on the ring-road leading to central Paris, as well as in the vicinity of Paris airports (CDG and Paris-Orly [ORY]).

Context

Around 700 ambulance drivers gathered on the Paris ring road on November 5 to denounce the governmental reform on the financing of health transport, which came into effect on October 1. They continued their protests on November 6. The reform states that from now on, hospitals and clinics will decide which ambulance services to use, rather than the patients, potentially jeopardizing small ambulance companies.

Advice

Individuals located in the area are advised to monitor the situation and allow for extra time to reach their destinations on protest days.