Boutiques in the centre of the French capital shut early and shoppers hurried home to meet a new 8pm curfew that took effect on Tuesday to try to prevent a new spike in Covid-19 infections, according to Reuters.

Around the usually bustling shopping district, shop fronts were dark and of the few people on the streets, most were heading towards the metro station.

Tuesday brought new freedoms for people in France because it was the end of a stay-at-home order. This had meant that, around the clock, people could only venture out for a limited time and for essential trips, to shop, or to exercise.

But that was replaced instead with a nightly curfew. From 8pm until 6am, people can only go out for work, on official business, or for medical reasons. Anyone breaking curfew is liable for a 135 euro ($164) fine.

Officials have warned that they will be strictly enforcing the new rules. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, “The government has decided to be particularly tough on unlawful parties.”