Evening Update Wednesday 1 September 2021

French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal has said that "the balance is still precarious" in hospitals, with almost one in two intensive care beds being taken by a Covid-19 patient. However, speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting earlier today, he said that it's possible for the authorities to show "cautious optimism", with the number of infections falling and "the virus no longer advancing". He made it clear that the situation in the overseas territories is very different, saying that it is still "extremely worrying".

The municipality of Antibes Juan-les-Pins has launched it's Covid-19 booster dose campaign. It's envisaged that about 100 booster injections per day will be available for eligible people at the Maison des Associations. People eligible for a booster jab include those over 65, people at very high risk of severe disease or with serious risk factor pathologies, and severely immunocompromised people. It's possible to make an appointment and check your eligibility by calling 0805 020 445 or by going in person to the Maison des Associations, 288 chemin de St-Claude from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. non-stop. It's also possible to make an appointment on the Doctolib.fr website. Further details can be obtained on the municiplaity's website https://www.antibes-juanlespins.com

HSH Prince Albert II has said that he learned with immense sadness of the tragic death of two Monaco firefighters in a motorcycle accident yesterday. Sergent Stéphan Hertier and Sapeur Mathis Canavese were part of a group of four motorcylists who were hit by a car in Puget-Théniers. The Prince also sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery to the two other firefighters who were  injured in the accident and expressed his deep emotion to the Principality's firefighters who have been deeply affected by the accident.

President Macron has arrived in Marseille this afternoon along with seven government ministers. He visited the town hall and then travelled to a northern area of the city which has suffered from a high crime rate. He'll be in Marseille until Friday and is expected to announce a plan for the city which will cover educational and economic areas as well as transport issues and the growing rate of serious crime.

The municipality of Sanary-sur-Mer in the Var has been recognized as a state of natural disaster for differential land movements following drought and soil rehydration from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. The decree was published in the Offical Journal on 31 August and those affected have ten days from that date to report damage suffered to their insurance company.

Patrols by the National Police are being intensifed in the Pilatte and Mont Boron sectors of Nice. Deputy mayor Anthony Borre said that last night 53 people were moved on from the area and 11 fines were issued for noise pollution and throwing rubbish.

18-26 year olds living in the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur region are now able to take free unlimited regional buses and trains on the Zou network to travel throughout the region. The period of free travel runs from today until the end of this year.

BUSINESS

Strong growth was seen in the UK’s manufacturing sector in August according to a new survey of purchasing managers. However, rising supply chain constraints lead to slower production growth and rising input prices. The IHS/Market Manufacturing PMI index slipped to a 6-month low of 60.3. The French manufacturing sector recorded a figure of 57.5, which is also a six month low. A figure over 50 still shows expansion.

Energy company Shell has announced a joint venture which aims to develop and operate a 1.4 gigawatt floating offshore wind farm in South Korea. The proposed wind farm will help South Korea’s energy transition and decarbonization. The project, which is currently at a feasibility assessment stage, is located about 65 to 80 kilometres off the coast and covers an area of approximately 240km2. Once constructed it's expected to generate up to 4.65-terawatt hours of clean energy every year.

SPORT

Football... Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has signed a new contract with the club running through until 2026. The 26 year old, who joined City from Benfica four years ago said "this was an easy decision - there is nowhere else I'd want to be".

Paralympics... Team GB's Gordon Reid has reached the men's wheelchair tennis singles semi-final with a three-set victory over Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez. Fellow Brit Alfie Hewett, who won silver in Rio, is also into the last four after beating France's Nicolas Peifer 6-3 6-3. Becky Redfern took silver in the women's SB13 100m breaststroke and David Smith won gold in the BC1 boccia.