Lunchtime News Tuesday 12th January 2021

News 

Vaccination campaign reported to be “slow” in the region - According to figures published by the Ministry of Health, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is the region in France where the vaccination campaign has so far, been the slowest. The PACA region to date counts 6,926 vaccinations according the health ministry. The regions figures are reported to be worse than in Normandy where 12,300 people have been vaccinated. The French government had announced an objective of vaccinating one million people in January 2021. So far as of January 11th, 138,351 people had been vaccinated in France.

Possible closure of school canteens to be discussed by the French government - The French government will on Wednesday consider different ways to curb the circulation of the coronavirus at the defence council meeting with an announcement expected on Thursday during the weekly press conference given by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. One issue to be covered in the meeting is the situation in French schools with reportedly, the possible closure of school canteens along with a ban on school sporting activities and school trips.

Many high schools are already operating on a one day on one day off schedule and online lessons. The objective of new measures would be to avoid the complete closure of establishments.

Defence council meeting - In addition the meeting, according to French media this morning, will consider three scenarios to try to stem the coronavirus epidemic they are firstly, a total lockdown (which the government is trying to avoid at all costs) secondly to extend the 6pm to all departments (at present 25 departments are under the new curfew) and finally a possible national curfew at 6pm along with a lockdown at weekends.

The outcome of tomorrow’s defence council meeting will lead to an announcement on Thursday. Meanwhile local MP Eric Ciotti has spoken in favour of tightening health measures.