The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has tested positive for the coronavirus. The results of a test were announced this afternoon. The mayor said that the results of the test do not prevent him from continuing to manage the crisis. He said he was confined with his family at home, but everything is set up so that he can continue to manage the health crisis.
A 9th positive case of coronavirus has been reported in Monaco. The Principality's health authorities were informed this morning that analysis of a sample taken yesterday were positive for COVID 19. This patient is H.E. the Minister of State. Serge Telle, who is not very symptomatic, remains confined to his home as part of the treatment protocol adopted by the Monegasque authorities with the establishment of medical follow-up coordinated by the CHPG. The Minister of State’s state of health is not cause for concern. Serge Telle pursues his professional activities from his home, avoiding all contact. The working meetings with all members of the Government will now be held by video conference. An investigation is underway in order to find out the movements made by the Minister of State over the past few days and identify the people with whom he is said to have been in contact.
French President Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation again on television at 8.00 this evening. He will talk about measures to contain the virus. Reports say that he may introduce wider confinement measures.
Following the announcement on Saturday that France was closing all restaurants, bars, cafes and non-essential shops, an official list has been published of the shops and services that are still permitted to stay open during the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak. You can find that list on our website.
At Nice Cote d'Azur airport, Terminal 1 is being closed from midnight tonight, with all flights arriving and departing from Terminal 2.
According to reports, SNCF will reduce services from 7 trains out of 10 to 5 trains out of 10 in circulation from tomorrow nationwide.
Reports say that more than 600 police officers are under containment for fear of coronavirus contamination.
Locally, The Gulf of Saint-Tropez Marathon canceled due to the threat of coronavirus.
BUSINESS
Global stock markets have fallen despite central banks around the world announcing a co-ordinated effort to ease the effects of the coronavirus. US markets plunged more than 7% earlier today, triggering an automatic suspension of trade in the minute after opening. London's FTSE 100 index fell more than 8% earlier, and other major European markets have seen similar falls. On Sunday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to almost zero and launched a $700bn stimulus programme. It was part of co-ordinated action announced alongside the eurozone, the UK, Japan, Canada, and Switzerland.
The PSA group, which manufactures Peugeot, Citroën and Opel vehicles has announced the closure of all its factories in Europe because of the coronavirus
Travel restrictions and a slump in demand due to the coronavirus have forced airlines to cancel most flights and temporarily reduce staff. Virgin Atlantic will cut four-fifths of its flights and has asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave. Ryanair and EasyJet are grounding most of their fleets, while BA owner IAG is to cut capacity by 75%. Norwegian Air has cancelled thousands of flights and will temporarily lay off more than 7,500 staff.
SPORT
No WTA tournaments will be played until at least 2 May after the tour extended its suspension because of coronavirus. The tour was initially on hold until 20 April but events in Stuttgart, Istanbul and Prague have now also been dropped. The WTA says it will make a decision this week about the season's remaining European clay court tournaments in Madrid, Rome and Strasbourg.
Olympic Games organisers will meet via teleconference tomorrow to discuss the latest coronavirus developments and the impact on the 2020 Tokyo Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will talk with international sports federations - a second executive board meeting in the last two weeks.
A mini-tournament to decide the Champions League and Europa League will be one option put forward to ease fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus outbreak. European football's governing body, Uefa, is hosting a video conference with major stakeholders tomorrow. Euro 2020 is set to be postponed to allow league seasons to be completed.
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