Lunchtime News update Wednesday 9th September 2020

Local 

Dengue fever - The Regional Health Agency has warned of a “possible outbreak” of native dengue fever in Nice. Two cases have been confirmed in Nice the first on Friday 4th September and the second on Monday September 7th around a dozen other cases are suspected. Dengue fever is spread by tiger mosquitoes.

Road accident - Traffic has been heavily disrupted on the voie Mathis this morning following a collision involving two cars shortly before 11am near the Cimiez exit. The collision saw long tail backs as emergency services intervened. According to reports nobody was injured.

Parking fines – Meanwhile motorist in France will no longer have to pay a parking fine before being able to contest it. A ruling from the Constitutional Council in France announced today will mean that the obligation introduced in January 2018, whereby it was mandatory to settle a fine before being able to challenge, will no longer apply.

National 

Day of action - Disruptions in several sectors across France are expected after a leading union called for a nationwide “day of action” on Thursday September 17th.

A spokeswoman for the CGT union said to French media that “We are not calling it a general strike, which has a very specific meaning in French labour law,” “But we hope that people will use their day to demonstrate in various ways their unhappiness with government policy and call for a more social and environmental transformation of the economy.”

Make up - The make-up industry has taken a hit and is down 17% since the start of the year due to the health crisis and in particular the sale of lipstick which continues to plummet due to people wearing masks.

In the first eight months of the year, sales of cosmetics fell 16.9% according to reports. While makeup purchases were stable before lockdown, they collapsed 53.4% ​​between March and May.

Dining out is scarce, parties are limited in number of people, weddings postponed or cancelled meaning there is less opportunity to want to wear makeup.