Evening Update 16th Oct

The Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has said, lower hospitalizations for coronavirus is what saved the area from curfew measures being imposed on Paris and other cities nationally. The Mayor was speaking at the launch of a new ‘antigen virus testing’ trial  which could deliver results in 30 minutes. If the six week trial is successful, the new test could replace PCR tests, which take 48 hours to deliver results.

Meanwhile the Provence-Alpes Côte-d'Azur regional health agency reports an extra thirteen people have been hospitalized compared to one week ago. However, that is still less than levels recorded at the end of September. They also say the incidence rate stands at 76 people per 100,000 residents, compared to 81 a week ago and 106 two weeks ago.

Despite the improvement, a small reversal could see Nice and the Cote d’Azur come under the emergency curfew measures which start this weekend across France.

Monaco’s highly anticipated overflow port in Ventimiglia has officially opened. The Monaco owned port, just eight miles from the principality, acts as an extension to Monaco with top-of-the-line facilities including 178 berths, shops, car parking, security and a shuttle service between Ventimiglia and Monaco. It’s expected an official inauguration will take place early next summer.

The new website for Britons who wish to register their French residency will open this Monday. The website will simplify online applications with one visit to prefecture and cards to be sent in the post. The link for the website is:
http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/  

BUSINESS

Shares are up in pharmaceutical giant Pfizer after the announced that they expect to file for authorization of the Covid-19 vaccine they are developing with German partner BioNTech. The filing could be made as soon as the third week in November.

British Airways has been fined €22 million by UK authorities over a data breach from two years ago which exposed personal and financial details of nearly half a million customers. While the fine is less than the 200 million expected, it is still the  largest-fine ever issued by the UK’s Information Commissioner

Tesla has lost water supply at its plant in Germany due to unpaid bills. A spokeswoman for the water company said Tesla was repeatedly warned, that it was behind on its payments and that the 14-day notice period has expired.  They declined to say how much Tesla owed.

SPORT

Formula 1 - Organisers of the Vietnam Grand Prix have confirmed the country's first ever Formula One race has been cancelled due to coronavirus. The race had been postponed from April to November.

Rugby - England wing Jack Nowell has recovered from a foot injury to make Exeter's starting 15 for tomorrows Champions Cup final against France’s Racing 92. Racing have Scotland fly-half Finn Russell at 10 but Teddy Thomas is out with Louis Dupichot on the wing. Both sides are playing for their first ever title in Europe's premier club competition. The final kicks off in Bristol tomorrow at 5.45

Football - This weekend’s AS Monaco match against Montpeillier at Stad Louis II is under threat, after eight players and four staff members in Monpeillier tested postitive for Covid-19. However, the team still has 20 able-bodied players including a goalkeeper in it’s ranks so could still qualify to play. A decision is to be taken later.

Tennis - The All England Club has said staging Wimbledon next year is it’s number one priority, even if that means holding it with the fans. The Grand Slam was cancelled this year, for the first time since World War Two, because of the coronavirus pandemic. The All England Club said it is planning three scenarios for next June: playing with full capacity, reduced capacity or behind closed doors.