In changes to health measures announced by the Monaco government today, restaurants will be able to open in the evenings until 9.30pm but will still only be accessible to Monaco residents and those staying in hotels in the Principality. As from 19 April until 3 May, the curfew hours in Monaco will be 9pm to 6am but with an exemption until 10pm for customers of restaurants. Outdoor sports at the Principality's schools will be permitted from 26 April.
The government said that vaccination is being opened to residents aged 45 to 54 and a letter from the Minister of State will be sent tomorrow to invite people to express their wish to be vaccinated. The government said that all vaccinations are being carried out with the Pfizer vaccine and they are also waiting for the Moderna vaccine.
Minister of State Pierre Dartout said that the health situation shows that the measures put in place have slowed the circulation of the virus but it is necessary to remain vigilant and cautious. He said that the incidence rate has been divided by three in one month and the government is proceeding "to a measured, controlled, contained, targeted reopening of certain activities" such as restaurants in the evening and sports in schools.
He added that Monaco takes its own decisions with regard to its own situation but also in reciprocal solidarity with France, with care being given to patients from neighboring municipalities at the hopital in Monaco and vaccines being supplied by France.
The Monaco government has given details of spectator numbers which will be allowed for the Historic Monaco Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place from 23-25 April. Only the qualifying races and the race itself will be open to the public, with the track being closed to spectators on the Friday. Only 6,500 members of the public will be allowed to be present in the stands, which is about one third of normal capacity. All spectators must be Monaco residents, employees or clients of hotels in the Principality. Restaurants will be able to be open continuously until 9.30pm during the Historic Grand Prix weekend but there will be no sale or consumption of alcohol on public roads. Similar measures will apply to the e-Prix on the 8 May but the government said that no decisions have yet been made about the Formula 1 Grand Prix later in May as measures will depend on the evolving health situation.
President Macron has been holding a videoconference this afternoon with fifteen mayors to take stock of the health crisis in areas which have been badly affected by the epedemic. The President is meeting with ministers this evening to discuss the possibility of reopenings but no immediate announcement is expected.
Local mayors Christian Estrosi and Louis Nègre have been in Paris today to sign the Ecological Recovery and Transition Contract for the Nice-Côte d´Azur Metropolis with Prime Minister Jean Castex. Other mayors of the metropolitan area have attended the signing by videoconference. The document had been due to be signed by Jean Castex during his planned visit to Nice on 19 March but the visit was cancelled because of the health situation. The comprehensive plan worth a total of 2.5 billion euros includes funds for 150km of new cycle paths, 100% carbon-free public transport by 2025, the reconstruction of priority neighborhoods in Nice and the region's villages as well as funds for works on several major roads in Nice. The plan also includes significant sums for culture and tourism.
Over 250,000 injections have been carried out so far in the Var, according to the Prefecture. The department has 18 permanent vaccination centres as well as centres open at the request of municipalities and also mobile facilities.
Consumer prices in France increased by 1.1%, in March compared to the same month last year according to figures released today by government statistics agency INSEE. The price of energy rose by 4.7% and food by 0.9%.
The government is recommending that French nationals and businesses temporarily leave Pakistan following recent anti-French demonstrations in the country. The French embassy in Pakistan said that there are "serious threats" to French interests in Pakistan.
President Macron has visited Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today on the second anniversary of the fire which destroyed the building's roof and spire. The aim is currently to reopen the cathedral by the fifth anniversary of the fire in 2024 and the president reaffirmed this date during his visit today.
There's good news if you're a Rolling Stones fan. It's been announced that the band's travelling exhibition "Unzipped" will be coming to Marseille this summer. The exhibition, which will occupy 2,000 square metres at the Velodrome, features hundreds of original objects and memorabilia from the group's sixty-year career. It's taking place from June 10 to September 5 and information about tickets can be obtained at https://www.orangevelodrome.com/events/the-rolling-stones-unzipped/
BUSINESS
Food delivery company Deliveroo said that orders increased by 121% in the UK in the past three months to 34 million. In a quarterly trading update released today the company said that its total monthly active consumer base has grown 91% since the first quarter of 2020. The update comes shortly after the group's recent flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Founder and chief executive Will Shu said that the business is "mindful of the uncertain impact of the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions".
Budget airline Wizzair has said that it expects only a gradual traffic recovery into late summer, following what it expects to be a period of good progress of national vaccination plans across key markets. It said that it expects to make a reported net loss of €570 to 590m for the year ended 31st March 2021.
SPORT
Tennis.... There's been a big upset in the Monte Carlo Masters this afternoon as British player Dan Evans defeated world number one Novak Djokovic. The final score was 6-4 7-5. In other matches today French player Lucas Pouille is out of the tournament after being defeated by number 58 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2 7-6. Number 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the next round after beating Cristian Garin 6-3 6-4. David Goffin beat Alexander Zverev.
Football... There are several Europa League matches this evening. Manchester United take on Granada, it's Slavia Prague against Arsenal, Roma play Ajax and it's Villareal against Dinamo Zagreb.
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