The Monaco government has announced new health measures, which will be published tomorrow, Friday, in the Official Journal. The government has decided to make remote working compulsory again for all positions that allow it in the private and public sectors, until January 31, 2022. The objective is to limit the spread of the virus, by reducing the flow of people in the Principality, as well as interactions in the professional sphere, while maintaining economic activity. Any professional work that does not require a physical presence in the workplace for its successful completion must be carried out remotely. The government also announced the prohibition of breaks at work between colleagues, for example around a coffee machine, without a mask and the authorization to sell self-tests in supermarkets for 3 weeks until January 23.
The New Year's Eve fireworks in Cannes have been cancelled. It follows an announcement by the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes banning fireworks in the department from tomorrow at 4pm until Sunday 2 January at 6am. The town hall in Cannes said it had no choice but to comply with the ban. A similar ban on fireworks is in force in the Var.
The Prefects of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var have decreed the closure of bars and restaurants by certain times tomorrow night. Establishments will have to close at 2am in the Alpes-Maritimes and 1am in the Var.
French companies will face substantial fines for noncompliance with teleworking regulations. The government has announced plans to impose sanctions of 1,000 euros per employee up to a limit of 50,000 euros.
After recent confusion, the French government has this evening clarified its position on UK nationals transiting through France to reach other EU countries. The UK government earlier said that the French government had indicated to them that UK nationals travelling from the UK who are not resident in France would not be permitted to transit through France to return to their country of residence, unless they were travelling by air, and advised such travellers to check with their carrier before travelling. Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel has this evening posted the following message on its website: "The French government has updated the travel rules applied since 28 December 2021. Passengers travelling from the UK, with residency permits for other EU countries under the Withdrawal Agreement, can now transit through France to return to their homes. This is subject to their journey to the UK having been completed before the 28th December 2021. This new rule comes into force immediately".
Vinci Autoroutes are forecasting a busy weekend on French motorways. On the A8 traffic is heavy this evening until about 7pm in both directions. Traffic is also forecast to be heavy around large towns and cities mainly in the direction of departures this Sunday, the 2nd of January.
BUSINESS
There's been a fall in the number of people registering new claims for unemployment benefits in the United States. 198,000 people filed new claims last week, down from 206,000 the previous week and far lower than the millions of claims made early in the pandemic.
Ride hailing company Didi Global has recorded an operating loss of 6.3 billion dollars in the nine months to the end of September. The company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in June but has since faced a regulatory crackdown in China.
SPORT
Cricket... India have beaten South Africa by 113 runs in the first Test . South Africa needed 305 to win but were bowled out for 191.
New Zealand player Ross Taylor has announced his retirement from international cricket. His final appearances for the national team will be during six one day internationals against Australia and the Netherlands next year.
Football... Chelsea have announced a loss of £145.6m after tax for the year to 30 June. Turnover increased to £416.8m thanks to an increase in broadcasting revenue.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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