French and Riviera News Thursday 10th February 2022

News

Figures from Public Health France show a fall in the number of covid patients in French hospitals - According to figures from Public Health France the number of hospitalised covid patients continues to decline, along with the number of those in intensive care. There are currently 32,878 patients hospitalised with covid in France of which 2,614 were admitted in the last 24 hours. The number of intensive care patients also fell to 3,503 on Wednesday.

42 new cases of covid identified in Monaco on Wednesday - In Monaco 42 new cases of covid were declared on Wednesday February 9th, bringing the total number of residents affected to 8,922 since the beginning of the pandemic and a 92-year-old resident who had tested positive for covid died on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 49. The government has expressed its sincerely condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased. 58 people are currently in hospital being treated for covid and 182 are being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Vaccination pass - On Wednesday French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said that there are "reasons to hope" that the requirement for a vaccination pass may be lifted at the end of March or beginning of April. Meanwhile wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on chairlifts and ski lifts in France's ski resorts.

"Freedom convoy" continues its journey to Paris – The "freedom convoy" continues is journey to Paris today as it plans to arrive in the French capital this weekend to protest against government policy and the vaccine pass. On Wednesday February 9th, the first southern convoy left Nice passing through the Var stopping at Brignoles and Aix-en-Provence. Other convoys set off on Wednesday from Bayonne, Perpignan and other French cities.

Authorities in France are closely following the development of the "freedom convoy" movement in France which is inspired by the action of Canadian truck drivers and also echoes that of the yellow vest movement. If all goes according to plan, the French "freedom convoy" is due to arrive in Paris this Friday. Motorists then plan to travel to Brussels next Monday 14th February.

Thalès plan blockaded today in Antibes and Cannes - Employees of Thalès which specialises in the development of submarines and satellites based in Antibes and Cannes, have planned blockades today Thursday 10th February, against the company's wage policy. Unions have denounced the 3.5% limit for 2022 applicable from July 1st despite the groups good results. Today's action is the third Thursday of mobilisation by the employees of Thalès.

Gas leak - Emergency services have intervened following a second gas leak in just two days, in Antibes. Firefighters intervened on the Boulevard de la Garoupe on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday it was residents in the Garoupe district of Cap d'Antibes which were evacuated due to a similar incident.

Blood donations urgently needed - The French Blood Establishment the EFS has launched an appeal for donations claiming that blood stocks are at their lowest and that there is a vital emergency to donate blood. To find out where you can donate blood go to dondesang.efs.sante.fr website or on the blood donation app.

Dry weather - All burning of plants has been prohibited in the Alpes Maritimes until February 20th inclusive due to the current dry weather conditions. The Prefecture added that the ban may be extended beyond this date if the weather conditions so require. Meanwhile, the Var Prefecture has called for efficient water management in the department. Meteo France have said that the start of 2022 is very dry, especially in the Southeast where some regions have not had a single day of rain since the beginning of the year.

Use of drones in Monaco - The Monaco government has introduced new regulations regarding the use of drones. The new regulatory framework, which has been in effect since February 6, has reinforced an initial low altitude airspace management system which was introduced in 2019 . The new regulations aim to ensure better management of Monegasque airspace while adjusting national regulations to the technological developments in the aeronautics sector.

Nice beat Marseille and are through to the semi-finals - OGC Nice are through