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.

Last local news

Evening Update Friday 21st February 2025

A new optional regional transport tax for businesses, introduced in France’s 2025 budget, aims to fund eco-friendly mobility projects. ... Evening Update Friday 21st February 2025 Read More

21/02/2025

French Riviera News Friday 21 February 2025

A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968... French Riviera News Friday 21 February 2025 Read More

20/02/2025

Evening Update Thursday 20th February 2025

In France, drinking water is heavily contaminated with "forever pollutants," particularly trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as revealed by two studies from ... Evening Update Thursday 20th February 2025 Read More

20/02/2025

French Riviera News Thursday 20 February 2025

The trial of the Tunisian man accused of the murder of three people in the Nice Basilica attack is continuing in Paris. Yesterday the families of the ... French Riviera News Thursday 20 February 2025 Read More

19/02/2025

Evening Update Wednesday 19th February 2025

Four cities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region made Booking.com's 2025 list of the "most welcoming destinations in France." ... Evening Update Wednesday 19th February 2025 Read More

19/02/2025