While the upcoming Olympic Games in the French capital should be a grand celebration for athletes and fans, for Paris authorities it will be two weeks of non-stop emergency, Myanmar Digital News reports.
The opening ceremony will see some 10,000 athletes parade six kilometres down the Seine River aboard some 90 boats. More than 320,000 spectators are expected to gather on the banks of the river to watch the parade.
Games organisers say this is the first time the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics will take place outside a sports venue.
To prevent terrorist attacks, Paris authorities plan to set up security zones around the river from July 18, eight days before the ceremony. Only spectators and officials associated with the Games will be allowed to enter these zones. People, who live or work in these zones, can apply for a pass at a special website and get a QR code, which will have to be presented to enter.
The authorities plan to deploy 45,000 police and other security personnel on the day of the ceremony.
Raising the terrorist alert level
France raised the terrorist alert level to the highest in the whole country in March. Police arrested a man from Chechnya, southern Russia, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack at an Olympic venue in central France in May.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told reporters on Friday that terrorism by Islamic extremists was a major concern.
Meanwhile, restaurants and other businesses located in designated areas are concerned that the heightened security could affect their operations.
A restaurant on the banks of the Seine with 200 seats, including a terrace, says it has not yet decided whether it will be open during the Games because customers need to apply for a pass and it is unclear whether food will be delivered as usual.
Some local businesses are said to have decided to close for the duration of the Games and are considering compensation from local authorities.
A restaurant manager says employees had originally hoped the Olympics would give them a chance to take care of business, but instead the event is causing big losses. The manager also says the authorities need to find a balance between ensuring security and keeping restaurants and bars open.
