Another lockdown is taking place in many areas of the Alpes-Maritimes this weekend, from 6pm this evening through until Monday at 6am. As during last weekend, essential shopping is allowed and a number of other stores will be open. Exercise is permitted for one hour no more than 5 kilometres from your home and the walking of pets is allowed. People can also attend medical appointments. A completed certificate is needed for all outings. Full details of the restrictions and permitted activities can be found on the website of the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture, www.https://www.alpes-maritimes.gouv.fr
A French government spokesperson has said that "a certain number of constraints" can "perhaps" be loosened from mid-April. Speaking to French media this morning, Gabrial Attal said that more than three million people had been vaccinated and the effects of vaccination are beginning to be seen.
The Mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti, has said that following the obtaining of new doses of vaccines for the Alpes-Maritimes, the vaccination centre at the chemin de Saint Claude will be open this Sunday March 7 all day for over 75s depending on registration on the waiting list. People aged 50 to 74 suffering from comorbidities and frailties, domiciled in Antibes Juan-les-Pins or Villeneuve-Loubet, can be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine from this Monday, 8 March. Appointments can be made from today by calling 0 805 020 445.
Thirteen vaccination centers for people over 75 are open this weekend in the Var. Only people who have made an appointment can be vaccinated. For more information see the Var Prefecture's website www.var.gouv.fr
In other news, a man armed with a knife was arrested this morning near a school in Marseille. Local reports say that a man in his fifties approached the school in the 13th arrondissement at about 8.15 this morning. The BAC anti-crime unit of the national police attended the scene and the man was taken into custody. No injuries were reported. The Police Prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhone said that an investigation has been launched and patrols are being stepped up around sensitive sites.
Greenpeace activists have staged a protest at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris this morning. Several protestors scaled perimiter fencing and put green paint on the exterior of an empty Air France plane. They were protesting at what the organization claims is the French government's "greenwashing" of air transport issues. The action comes a few days before the start of parliamentary debates on the Climate and Resilience Bill.
Les Restos du Coeur are holding their national collection weekend this weekend. The charity have said that there are more people in need because of the health crisis but donations were down last year. Volunteers will be standing at the exits of many supermarkets across France from today until Sunday to accept donations.
BUSINESS
Employers in the United States added 379,000 jobs in February according to data released today by the US Labor Deartment. The figures were better than expected but the jobless rate only dropped from 6.3% to 6.2%.
China is aiming for an economic growth rate above 6% in 2021. The target was announced at the opening of this year's National People's Congress. Unlike many economies around the world, China's economy grew last year, but only by 2.3%, which was the weakest in several decades.
In Germany, orders for industrial goods rose more than expected in January. Orders rose by 1.4% in January from December, which was double analysts estimates. Growth was particularly strong in overseas orders which grew by 4.2%.
The GDP of Austria fell by 6.6% in real terms in 2020 according to data from national statistics body Statistics Austria. The body said that the country's economic performance in 2020 "recorded the most striking decline since 1945".
SPORT
Cricket....... At the close of play in the England against India Test today India were 294 for 7 after 94.0 overs, meaning that they are leading England by 89 runs with 3 wickets remaining.
In the Fourth Twenty20 in Wellington Australia have beaten New Zealand by 50 runs to level the series at 2-2. Aaron Finch became Australia's highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket as he made an unbeaten 79 off 55 balls.
Motorsports...Formula 1 have confirmed that the Portuguese Grand Prix will go ahead on 2 May. They added that Portuguese authorities would decide whether spectators could attend in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the organisers of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which is scheduled for 4-6 June, have said that the race will be held behind closed doors.
Rugby Union...There are two games in the Gallagher Premiership tonight. Leicester play London Irish and Sale play Newcastle. In the Guinness Pro 14 Munster play Connacht.
Football...In the English Premier League this weekend on Saturday Burnley play Arsenal. Sheffield United play Southampton.Aston Villa face Wolves and Brighton play Leicester. On Sunday West Brom host Newcastle.Liverpool play Fulham.Manchester City play Manchester United and Spurs host Crystal Palace. Chelsea play Everton and West Ham play Leeds on Monday.
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