Lunchtime News Thursday March 4th 2021

Vaccine policy criticism-The French government has criticised a vaccine policy alliance between Austria ,Denmark and Israel.

The news comes as the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederikson meet with the Israeli leader Benyamin Netenyahu today to discuss a partnership for the “second generation” of Covid-19 vaccines.

The French government says that the alliance is “contrary to the idea of European solidarity” adding that it would be preferable to keep vaccine policy “in-house” within the EU.

Sebastian Kurz has criticised European Union vaccine rollout for being “too slow” and that member states should not be solely reliant on policy from Brussels.

 

Press conference-The French Prime Minister Jean Castex will hold a press conference this evening to outline the government’s latest strategy in dealing with Covid-19.

It’s reported that an extra number of departments may be placed under a weekend lockdown but the Var may escape any fresh regulations.

The Alpes Maritimes will enter a second weekend lockdown from 6pm on Friday.

 

Patients moved-Three patients suffering from coronavirus in the Var have been airlifted for treatment to western France.

The development comes as hospitals in the department are reporting further strain owing to the number of patients occupying ICU beds.

There are currently 250 patients receiving hospital treatment for the virus in the Var with 66 in intensive care.

 

Antibes vaccination-Registration for the Covid-19 vaccination in Antibes will start for the 50-74 age group tomorrow.

Priority will be given to the 65-74 age group first and then to those aged 50-65 with underlying health problems.

People wishing to sign up for the AstraZeneca shot should contact their GP or call the vaccination centre at the Maison des Associations at 288 Chemin Saint Claude on 0805 020 445.

You must present a medical certificate to justify your right to be vaccinated.

Residents of Villeneuve Loubet in the specified age group can also be vaccinated in Antibes.

 

Rugby World Cup-Tickets for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France will go on sale from March the 15th.

Two sorts of tickets will be available. A “pack team” pass which will allow fans to see four Pool stage games featuring the same team with an option for a quarter final.

The second package is “pack ville”  and will be available for entry to 5 or 3 matches depending on preference.

Tickets will be priced at between 13 and 40 euros for the initial release with further offers for the later stages of the competition going on sale in the autumn which will then be followed by a final offer for individual match tickets.

Fans are advised to get in as quick as possible as tickets are expected to sell out rapidly.

The website will go live at https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/fr/ on Monday the 15th of March.

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