Lunchtime News Monday 14th December 2020

News

Fatal weekend on the region’s roads - There have been two fatal accidents on the region's roads this weekend, claiming two lives. The first accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on the A8 motorway near Cannes when a 28-year-old motorist involved in a collision with another vehicle got out of his car and was hit head on by an oncoming vehicle.

The second crash occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Antibes pay toll involving three vehicles resulting in the death of a motorist and three others were taken to hospital suffering from injuries.

Protests planned in Paris today - Restaurant, hotel owners and nightclub managers are to demonstrate in Paris today calling on the reopening of their businesses. Managers of restaurants, cafes, brasseries, caterers, hotels, nightclubs from all over France, are set to gather in Paris this afternoon.

Unions have criticised the government’s decision to close their businesses as well as unhelpful landlords who are refusing to help during this difficult time. The industry’s union the Umih did try to challenge the government's decision to close all restaurants café and bars at the Council of State in October but their appeal was rejected in early December.

The Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, has indicated that he will mobilize an additional 20 billion euros in the draft budget for 2021. According to a survey carried out in November “66% of businesses said they were very worried about recovery” while 30% were considering “filing for bankruptcy". 

Poverty in Nice - According to a report published today the city of Nice has 74,000 people living below the poverty line, with one of the highest poverty rates in France.

The report on poverty in France from the Observatory of Inequalities, shows that Nice is the fourth largest city in France in terms of the number of poor people behind Paris, Marseille and Toulouse. The poverty rate in Nice is around 21% representing one in five people.

Covid -19 - The head of the infectious diseases ward at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital Éric Caumes has said he fears "a re-acceleration" of the Covid-19 epidemic in France due to Christmas and the end-of-year celebrations.

Speaking to French media this morning the specialist, called on the French to respect the recommendations of the health authorities - and in particular not to meet with more than 6 adults for Christmas - and to continue the using barrier gestures.

Travel - Meanwhile the Prefect of Corsica has announced that anybody over the age of 11 is required to have a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 seventy-two hours before visiting the Island from December 19th to January 8th.  Meanwhile for those wishing to visit Italy a negative test must be presented which has been carried out 48 hours ahead of travelling and is compulsory for everyone including children. This requirement is exempt for stays of no more than 120 hours for proven work, health or absolute emergency needs.

Covid-19 Monaco - No new cases of Covid-19 were reported for Monaco on Sunday. The total number of residents affected in the Principality, stands to date at 668. Eight patients are currently hospitalised, two are in intensive care and 29 people are being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Meanwhile Monaco’s Minister of State Pierre Dartout has revealed that the public can expect the first of three Covid vaccines to be rolled out in Monaco next month. The vaccines will be free of charge to residents.

 

Last local news

French and Riviera News Friday 9th May 2025

A Polish man in his forties has been hospitalized in Valence after enduring a harrowing journey between two TGV carriages from Paris. ... French and Riviera News Friday 9th May 2025 Read More

09/05/2025

Weather Forecast - Friday 9th May 2025

Cloudy with sunny intervals. Light rain is forecast for the Var region with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 17 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, ... Weather Forecast - Friday 9th May 2025 Read More

09/05/2025

Habemus Papam

White smoe Is billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning A new pope has just been chosen! 133 cardinals have gathered in the Sistine cha... Habemus Papam Read More

08/05/2025

Evening Update Thursday 8th May 2025

No new pope has been elected yet, as black smoke signalled another inconclusive vote during the conclave in the morning of Thursday the 8th of May. ... Evening Update Thursday 8th May 2025 Read More

08/05/2025

French and Riviera News Thursday 8th May 2025

Unions at the SNCF have announced new strike action for June 4th, 5th, and 11th, following ongoing disruptions to train services in France during the ... French and Riviera News Thursday 8th May 2025 Read More

08/05/2025