French and Riviera News Thursday April 29th 2021

News 

PM - The French Prime Minister has given a press conference to explain the government's next steps in the easing of coronavirus restrictions. Jean Castex said that the government would be taking a phased and progressive approach. He was speaking after Wednesday‘s meeting of the French cabinet in Paris and said that President Macron would explain more this coming Friday. On the subject of the curfew, Mr Castex said the government intended to end restrictions but would reserve the right to reimpose stricter measures should the virus show signs of running out of control again. Reports in French media say that could mean curfew restrictions being lifted at the start of June. Mr Castex also said that the government was working on plans for a health pass to allow people to travel overseas to countries that will be accepting foreign visitors. The Prime Minister said there are clear signs that the battle to control the virus is being won and that the national R rate has dropped to 0.89 over the past week.

Vaccines – The government says that it will not yet allow any adult to be vaccinated against COVID-19 despite take up falling short in many areas of the country. The news has prompted criticism from opposition politicians with the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo questioning why the government was sticking to its plan when there were clearly many people who wish to be vaccinated but are not yet eligible. Take up for vaccines, particularly the Astrazeneca jab has been slow in many area