News
Accident - A 37-year-old man, heavily under the influence of alcohol has been hit by a vehicle on the RD562. The incident occurred shortly after 8pm on Wednesday evening in Callian. Witnesses say that the victim was zig zagging between vehicles before being hit. Seriously injured, emergency services airlifted him to hospital. Traffic was severely disrupted in the area.
Restaurant in Nice opens as an act of “resistance” - A restaurant owner in Nice has been placed in police custody reportedly not for opening his restaurant during the current restrictions but for an employee without correct paperwork. Owner Christophe Wilson opened his establishment on Wednesday lunchtime in protest against the closure of restaurants and as an act of “resistance”. Customers were served food and displayed their support for the restaurant owner. When interviewed by local reporters, many openly displayed their skepticism about the very existence of Covid, saying that "the epidemic does not exist", with others even underestimating the effects claiming, "there are not that many deaths". Police intervened and then left as customers declared their victory and sang the Marseillaise. It is not the first time that the restaurant owner has taken action, at the end of last November he opened his establishment in protest during the second lockdown in France.
Seasonal rentals - The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has prohibited all seasonal rentals in Nice from the 6th to at least the 20th February. The measure, an attempt to limit the spread of Covid during the holiday period, had been evoked in a tweet by the mayor but until now was not confirmed. Estrosi has also expressed his wish for the measure to be introduced for the whole of the Alpes Maritimes.
French government considering several scenarios - As the French government decide the next move to contain the spread of Covid in France, a meeting held yesterday with the Head of State and the scientific council has revealed that the current 6pm curfew introduced across France is not enough to slow down the spread. Speaking on Wednesday government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said that a range of different scenarios are being considered from what he called "an unlikely maintenance of the current framework" to "very tight confinement". The Director General of Health will give an update on the circulation of the virus today.
Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron is to take part in a meeting at 11am this morning on treatment against Covid-19. The objective of the meeting is to take stock of the progress in research and clinical trials in the face of the Covid pandemic.
Investigation into leaving party held by police officers - An investigation has been opened after police officers in Seine-Saint-Denis organised a leaving do for a fellow colleague despite the current 6pm curfew in France. A video of the evening was broadcast online showing police officers partying in the police station, without masks or social distancing. Several police unions have refused to comment on the images while the mayor of Aubervilliers, Karine Franclet (UDI), hopes the participants will be sanctioned.
Monaco health measures - The Monaco government has extended all current health measures until February 19th inclusive. The restrictions have been in force since January 11th. The government said that the circulation of the virus is still active in the Principality and although the incidence rate has stabilized, it remains very high at 400 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a 7-day period. The government said that it should be remembered that the large number of positive cases is linked to the rise in the number of tests carried out but it's necessary to remain vigilant. Hospital services in the Principality are not saturated but are subject to increasing demand.
Two wheelers no longer allowed to circulate between vehicles - France’s delegation to Road Safety has announced that from February 1st, two-wheelers will no longer be allowed to circulate between vehicles. Results have shown that following an experiment on certain roads throughout France, where this widespread practice was authorized, accidents increased by 12%. Due to the “disappointing” accident toll, the conclusion from the report does not allow road authorities to integrate inter-lane traffic into the highway code.
Cannes Film Festival - The Cannes Film Festival has been postponed because of the health situation. The festival was scheduled to take place from the 11th to 22nd May this year, but organisers say it will now be held from July 6th to 17th.
Vendée Globe - Yannick Bestaven, the 48-year-old French skipper is the overall winner of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe. Bestaven takes victory 2 hours 31 minutes and 1 second ahead of Charlie Dalin and 6 hours 40 minutes and 26 seconds of Louis Burton who both finished ahead of him and take second and third respectively. The German skipper
