News
Vaccination pass - While a date is still to be confirmed for its implementation the vaccination pass will be obligatory from the age of 16 in France instead of the current health pass in order to access leisure activities, restaurants and bars, fairs, seminars and trade shows and interregional public transport (planes, trains, coaches). In transport, there is an exception: for "compelling family or health reasons" subject to presenting a negative test, "except in the event of emergency". Those aged 12 to 15 will remain subject to the obligation to present the current health pass for access to leisure activities, restaurants and bars, fairs or interregional public transport. The organizers of political rallies will have the possibility of requiring a health pass from participants. Large gatherings are currently limited to 2,000 people indoors, 5,000 outdoors.
To obtain the new vaccination pass, you will need a complete schedule (two doses or just one, depending on the vaccine). From February 15th, it will be necessary to carry out a booster dose four months and no longer seven, after its second dose for the pass to remain valid. Controls: in addition to the police, the managers of places and activities subject to the pass, such as bars and restaurants, will be able to check passes and ask for ID. In the case of presenting a pass belonging to someone else will be punished on the first breach by a fixed fine of 1,000 euros, compared to the current 135 euros.
Should you be found to be in possession of a false pass this is punishable with a five year prison sentence and a 75,000 euros fine. However this penalty may be lifted if you agree to commit to a vaccination schedule. The lack of control of the pass by the manager of an establishment open to the public will be liable from the first breach to a fine of 1,000 euros. Finally companies that do not respect teleworking may face an administrative fine of up to 500 euros per employee, up to a limit of 50,000 euros.
Mayor of Cannes considers that the implementation of the vaccination pass is too late - Meanwhile following the passing of the bill to replace the health pass with a vaccination pass on Sunday January 16th, the mayor of Cannes David Lisnard has said that the measure has come "too late". The mayor went on to criticise the move saying that "it's become a political weapon" adding that Emmanuel Macron's recent comments saying that he "wanted to annoy the non-vaccinated" was not within the role of the Head of State, who should want to "solve problems and cultivate national harmony instead of deviating from our objectives."
In other news
Road accident - Three people have been seriously injured in a head on collision in Cavalaire in the Var. The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon on the Route de Toulon the two vehicles were travelling in opposite directions. Emergency services intervened shortly after 5pm and traffic was cut off in both directions. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause.
Referendum 2023 - The mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has announced that a referendum will take place in 2023 for the future low-emission zone in the city centre prior to a test, mid-2023, as to the removal of red lights and a 30km speed limit between Carabacel and Jean-Médecin. Estrosi said that following a trail run he will "hold a referendum to ask the people of Nice if they want to implement the measure in the heart of the city."
Online service for schoolchildren in La Croix Valmer - A new online tool has been launched by the city council of La Croix Valmer in the Var to help families with "school work". The service is free and is part of a three year partnership between the city council and the company "prof express". For 3,600 euros per year, the City allows all students living in the city (from kindergarten to high school) to have access to a range of solutions and services to help them with their school work. Families need to register on the site with proof of residence.
Presidential candidate stresses need for strong European borders - French presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse has stressed the need for strong European borders. Pecresse, the presidential candidate for the conservative Republicans party is seen by many as the most significant challenger to President Emmanuel Macron, who is expected to run for re-election in April, even though he's has not yet formally announced it. Pecresse said "There is no Europe without borders, and the question of borders is absolutely key today to building European power,"
New billionaire every 26 hours since the beginning of the health crisis - According to Oxfam the wealth of the ten richest has doubled since the start of the epidemic. In its report published today Monday January 17th, on global inequalities, the fortunes of billionaires around the world have grown more in 19 months of the pandemic than in the past decade. Since the beginning of the epidemic, the world has had a new billionaire every 26 hours.
In France, billionaires have increased their fortune by 236 billion euros during the crisis. Oxfam says inequality contributes to the deaths of "at least 21,000 people a day" based on global deaths from lack of access to healthcare, gender-based violence, hunger and the climate crisis.
Luxury cars selling like hot cakes - The sale of luxury cars has managed to avoid the crisis in the automobile industry with brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley and Lamborghini reaching record sales. The market has seen luxury cars sell like hot cakes. The Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Bugatti brands had a record year in 2021, with SUVs at the top of sales.
Rolls-Royce (BMW Group) improved on its historic record of 2019 by selling 5,586 cars. Wealthy customers flocked to the new Ghost coupe and the Cullinan SUV, sold from 300,000 euros in France. Bentley and Lamborghini (Volkswagen group) also reached their records with respectively 14,659 and 8,405 cars sold worldwide, thanks in particular to their Bentayga and Urus SUVs, sold at around 200,000 euros. On the hyper-luxury side, Bugatti welcomed the "best year ever in the history of the company", with 150 cars ordered, for around 3 million euros per car.
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