France investigates secret restaurant for elites

France is investigating secret restaurants that are open to the elites in the country despite health orders stating restaurants are not allowed to be open due to the coronavirus.

The secret restaurants were revealed in an undercover report by a French TV network, The Associated Press reported.

French authorities opened an investigation into the restaurants and government officials Sunday after the documentary said ministers in the country were attending these events.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told the police to investigate the allegations made in the report and prosecute those who have been hosting these events, according to The Washington Post.

The organizers and attendees of these venues could face charges for endangerment and undeclared labor.

The restaurants are serving expensive meals and telling guests not to wear their face masks.

“People who come here take off the mask,” a man said in the report. “Once you walk through the door, there is no more COVID-19.”

The man who made the accusations in the documentary was later revealed to be Pierre-Jean Chalençon. Although he said his comments were a joke, the authorities are still investigating the matter.

The documentary sparked outrage from those in France who have demanded the names of the government officials who attended the events. Many plan to protest outside of one of the alleged venues.

Restaurants in France have been closed since October to the dismay of the French public. 

The country recently announced it will be extending its lockdowns another month as the country tries to get its coronavirus cases under control. 

France has more than 4.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 96,000 deaths.