Lunchtime News update Tuesday 8th September 2020

Local 

Regional train network - The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and the SNCF has reached a mutual commitment to reduce delays and train cancellations on the region’s train network.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region has signed a "performance contract" with the SNCF for "better consideration of passenger, a better service and better performance" of regional trains.

The region is set to invest 350 million euros over ten years, as part of its regional recovery plan, "including 250 million euros over the next five years to help the SNCF modernize the network and carry out major infrastructure projects."

Flu vaccination - Local MP Eric Ciotti has expressed his desire to see flu vaccinations made compulsory for all “vulnerable” individuals and health care workers. Speaking to French media this morning Ciotti said “he feared the “conjunction” between the seasonal flu and Covid-19 which could prove fatal for France’s hospital service.

Covid-19 - Two city council staff from a nursery and primary school in Nice have been placed in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19.

The two employees from the Fouont Cauda school in the “Liberation” district of Nice worked in the catering and cleaning departments of the school.

Monaco Covid-19 cases - Five new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Monaco on Monday. Latest figures show that 153 residents have been affected by the coronavirus in the Principality.

Two residents are currently hospitalised and 42 people are being following by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Joggers to wear masks – Meanwhile the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has announced that joggers will be required to wear a mask in urban areas. The announcement was made on Monday and will now mean that joggers, like pedestrians are required to wear a mask.

National 

European Environment Agency - According to the European Environment Agency 630,000 deaths in Europe could be attributed directly or indirectly to a polluted environment in 2012.

The report published today, shows that in the European Union pollution contributes to 13% of deaths. In the 27 EU countries and in the United Kingdom, 630,000 deaths could be attributed directly or indirectly to a polluted environment in 2012 according to the latest figures.

Romania records nearly one in five deaths linked to pollution while the best students, Sweden and Denmark, deplore one in ten.

French Open - Organisers of the French Open have said that spectators will be allowed at the event this month despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in France.

They unveiled the health protocols for the clay-court grand slam, which will take place at Roland Garros in western Paris from September 27th  after being postponed from its May start due to the pandemic.