Lunchtime News.Friday July 17th 2020

Beach ban-The city of Nice has imposed a beach ban from 22.00 hours tonight and for the nights of Saturday and Sunday.

The move is in response to complaints of noise ,drug taking and drinking and police have been instructed to enforce the measure vigorously and issue fines to offenders.

With nightclubs closed ,increasing numbers of young people have been gathering on the city’s beaches to hold illicit parties.

French Patrol-The French version of the Red Arrows is to fly over the Pasteur 2 hospital today as a mark of respect to health care workers who’ve performed so heroically during the coronavirus crisis.

The Patrouille de France will perform the fly over at around 3.30 this afternoon trailing  red .white and blue plumes of smoke.

The jets will also fly over hospitals in Toulon and Marseilles within the space of an hour.

McStrike- Management at the McDonald’s fast food restaurant at the top of the avenue Jean Medecin in Nice have started an internal enquiry following a string of complaints over working conditions by employees.

Staff started strike action on Thursday following allegations that they’ve been shouted and spat at by members of the public.

There have also been complaints about the standard of hygiene at the restaurant.

Accident-Four people have been injured in a road accident at Cuers in the Var.

The accident happened on the RD43 when two cars were involved in a head on collision.

One of those injured ,a 70 year old man is reported to be in a serious condition and has been taken to the Saint Anne hospital in Toulon.

In National News.

40 people have been arrested in France ,Belgium and Italy in connection with a large counterfeit banknote operation.

Reports say that one of those arrested in France is the grandson of the actor Catherine Deneuve.

The arrests follow an investigation by Europol with 8 million euros in counterfeit notes seized.

The racket is thought to have been organised by the Naples based Camorra mafia.

Masks-A reminder that it will become mandatory to wear a face mask in closed public spaces from next week.

The government has made the move in response to rising numbers of coronavirus cases around the country although authorities have stressed that they don’t wish to cause alarm.

Masks will certainly be required in shops and supermarkets ,government buildings and gyms.

Some of the fresh regulations and the amount of fines for offenders have not yet been published with the government expected to clarify the new rules shortly.