Lunchtime News Tuesday 5th January 2021

News

Vaccination campaign - France’s Health Minister has this morning announced that the vaccination campaign will be extended to firefighters and home helpers over 50 years old. Speaking to French media this morning Olivier Véran announced the move adding that by the end of January the vaccination will also be extended to over 75’s and that in order to achieve this the French government will open 300 vaccinations centres in France.

Working from home - According to the health protocol which will be in force from Thursday in France, employees working from home will be able to return to the office one day a week if they "feel the need" and with the agreement of their employer.

This minimum flexibility of full teleworking will therefore only be done on the basis of the employee's wish to return to the office and with the agreement of the employer.

Bars and restaurants to remain closed - It has been decided that bars and restaurant in France will not reopen on January 20th. It’s not yet official but the decision has reportedly been taken following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and the government on Monday. This afternoon unions are to meet with the Head of State requesting a new date and a clear plan for the future of bars and restaurants in France.

Case of Covid variant in Corsica - A case of the British variant of Covid-19 has been identified in Corsica. The person affected had returned from London and is currently self-isolating at home. Corsica tests all passengers without a negative Covid test when they land in Ajaccio which made it possible for the regional health authorities to identify the case. From December 19th to January 8th out of the 58,000 checks carried out 750 were not able to provide a negative test and were therefore tested on arrival. 39 passengers did attempt to avoid being tested and were fined.

A first case of the variant was identified in France on December 25th, in Tours, when a Frenchman returned from London a few days earlier.

“Voisins Voices” newsletter - The British Embassy in Paris has published online a bumper edition of the “Voisins Voices” newsletter with information about the newly negotiated End of transition and what it means for you. For the link to the newsletter go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voisins-voices-a-newsletter-for-the-british-community-in-france