Lunchtime News Friday 30th October 2020

 

News 

Nice attack - In the aftermath of the Nice attack which claimed the lives of three people a 47-year-old man has been placed in police custody on Thursday evening, October 29 suspected of having been in contact with the perpetrator the day before the attack.

The attacker is a "Tunisian national born in 1999" and according to authorities was "unknown to the national fingerprint file."

Two women and a man died in the attack. In a press conference the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said “two people died inside the basilica in the most "horrible" way possible, "like professor" Samuel Paty. The third victim took refuge in a nearby bar, where she succumbed to her injuries.

A maximum-security alert was put in place by the French government following the attack.

Lockdown - Lockdown measures have come into force across France as the country battles against the spread of Covid-19.

On Thursday Public Health France reported 47,637 new cases of Covid-19 and 250 new deaths.

France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex and his ministers confirmed on Thursday evening that teleworking would be the rule for employees who can. They also announced that a simple "sworn statement" would be required for people returning from holiday this weekend.

People are to stay at home as much as possible under the new lockdown. Travel will be limited, with a certificate, only to go to work, to go to a medical appointment, to assist a loved one, to do your shopping or to accompany your children to school with nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools remaining open. Universities and higher education institutions will provide online courses.

Individual and outdoor activities, such as jogging is allowed with parks, gardens forest areas and beaches remaining open to the public, but team sports are not allowed.  

Places of worship remain open with funerals and weddings possible in small groups. Public services will remain accessible such as the Post Office and banks. DIY shops are to remain open along with opticians.

Demonstrations remain authorized on the condition that they are declared to the prefecture and closed shops and restaurants will be able to deliver or offer a takeaway service.

On Thursday traffic around Paris hit record levels just hours before the new national lockdown came into force across France.

French media report that many Parisians have left the city - and their often-cramped apartments - to spend lockdown in the countryside.

Nice Airport – As of today travel by plane must meet the travel requirements required by the authorities.

The declaration proving that your travel is necessary, for professional, personal or medical reasons will be required.

Over the coming weeks, airlines may need to reduce their flight schedules. We ask you to consult the airlines’ websites to ensure that your journey will go ahead.

Economy - France’s Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire has this morning announced the with the new lockdown “the government now expects a contraction of gross domestic product (GDP) of 11% in 2020, against a contraction of 10% expected so far”.

Vendée Globe to go ahead - Organisers of the 9th Vendée Globe, the single-handed round-the-world yachting race, have announced that it will take place as planned on November 8th in spite of a new coronavirus lockdown in France. The event will be held behind closed doors without an audience.

The start, which attracted 300,000 people in 2016, will be broadcast live on the official website and on "numerous" television channels.

 

 

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