Lunchtime news Wednesday 18th March 2020

Lunchtime news update Wednesday 18th March 2020 

 

Digital version of authorisation to go out, no longer accepted by the authorities - The French government has reportedly backtracked concerning the paperwork required for any outdoor travel. It had earlier been the case, that the document required for circulating outside could be donwloaded onto your phone this is no longer the case. Only the paper document is accepted.

The ministry has corrected the information on its website confimring that the certificate of displacement must be presented in paper version.

A digital version is being worked on but is not yet available.

Coronavirus poll - According to a poll carried out by Ifop and published in today’s Le Parisian newspaper. The new coronavirus worries nearly two-thirds of the French, more than other epidemics like the influenza A / H1N1 of 2009 or Ebola, and the majority of French people think that the French government has hidden information.

61% of those questioned expressed their concerns for themselves and their families, 42% saying that they were "somewhat worried", and only 19% that they were "quite worried".

The level is highest among those 65 and over (64%), who are most at risk, but the 18-24 age group still expressed concern at 60%.

When asked about the action of the public authorities in the face of the coronavirus, 57% of those polled believe that the government "has hidden certain information". But 48% say he communicated "clearly" and "reacted quickly".

Faced with the spread of the virus, more than 50% of French people are worried about going to a stadium and using public transport. 

HSH adresses the people of Monaco - HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has addressed the people of Monaco declaring that in the face of the coronavirus the Principality is prepared and that as of midnight on Tuesday limits to non essential travel were to be imposed following the previous measures enforced on Saturday of the closing of all « non essential places » to the public. 

The Prince thanked the work of the health service as well as the city council and authorities. In an unprecedented situation the Prince added that the government will give special aid 

to help the economy and businesses affected by the measures.

The Prince ended by saying that « he is confident in the public to take the necessary responsibilities and has complete faith ».

Latest figures - The latest figures on the coronavirus now amounts to 104 cases in the Alpes-Maritimes. 

Since Friday February 28, 2020, 481 people have tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (including 128 hospitalizations)

-7 people in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence;

-25 people in the Hautes-Alpes;

-104 people in the Alpes-Maritimes;

- 237 people in the Bouches-du-Rhône;

-95 people in the Var;

-13 people in Vaucluse.

Among these cases, 22 people were on Tuesday evening in intensive care. 4 deaths are to be deplored.

The victims were hospitalized in hospitals in the Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse. "With the increase in the number of cases, the systematic search for contacts has become useless. Testing all patients with symptoms would lead to the saturation of the screening system. Health officials added that «  only screening for severe cases and the collective structures of fragile people makes it possible to take

immediate action ».

In France,  there have so far been 175 deaths of which 7% were aged under 65, announced Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health. 

Meanwhile measures to be respected following the fight to stem the spread of the coronavirus in France have seen police deployed across the country. On Tuesday it was reported that warnings were given however, as of today people will face being fined. In Italy on Tuesday officials reported the highest number of fines issued, for non respect of limits which had been put in place by the authorities

Police in Nice started to check road users in particular on the Promenade des Anglais on Tuesday afternoon adding that "checks would intensify as time goes on". Spectacular queues are being seen in the region outside bakeries, pharmacies and supermarkets as people are now respecting the safety distance as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. 

Meanwhile  as the French confine themselves for at least two weeks, the police have pointed out that it is not always necessary to go to the police station in person for any procedures. In order not to overload the police force unnecessarily, or to risk spreading the virus the police have reminded people that there are numerous options to report cases and file complaints via the website www.interieur.gouv.fr 

However remember that in the event of an emergency requiring immediate police intervention, dial 17.

Paracetamol - As of today, pharmacists will be able to dispense without prescription a single box of paracetamol per patient without symptoms and two boxes in the event of symptoms. The online sale of drugs based on paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin is suspended. The sale of paracetamol, recommended to combat symptoms due to coronavirus, will be restricted in pharmacies and suspended on the internet from this Wednesday, announced French authorities. 

Nice airport - Following the announcement by Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning, conforming the closure of European borders. As of today, Nice Côte d'Azur airport, like the whole of the French territory, will only accept nationals of the European Union, the Schengen area or the United Kingdom.

Since Sunday, all flights are grouped  at Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 remaining closed until further notice.From now on only European nationals "or those with a valid residence permit, in France or in Europe", "will be allowed to enter France.

Nice canon - If you heard the familiar midday canon on Tuesday in Nice, then it was the last time for a while. As the city took measures to confine it’spopulation in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus the tradition has been interrupted. 

The firing of the canon is a tradition which dates back to 1885 but that it marked something rather different to what it meant then, marking on Tuesday at midday, the introduction of new confinement measures.

Fired in the 1860s by a Scottish Lord Sir Thomas Coventry the canon was used to remind a too talkative wife that it was lunchtime. The  canon, has since become a true symbol of Nice. To the point that at the time of Coventry’s departure the population demanded that the tradition remain. In recent years, only the commemorations of July 14have silenced it.

Monaco - Monaco City Council has extended its home meal delivery service to all residents over 70 and to frail people. The number to contact for this service is Monaco 93 15 22 99 from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. For non-food shopping, particularly for pharmaceutical products, a delivery service has also been established in Monaco. Contact 97 97 68 00 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Monaco City Council has also decided to grant free surface parking throughout the Principality. The PayByPhone service is therefore suspended and parking meters are free.

Forest fire - A forest fire has destroyed 8,000 square meters of wooded land.  The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon at Le Plan in Aups in the Var. 21 firefighters were deployed and the fire was contained. An investigation has been open into the cause of the blaze. 

Solidarity - The coronavirus crisis has seen numerous spontaneous solidarity movements in the region. The latest came from staff at the pizzeria Le Feu Follet in La Garde which having closed due to the restrictions in preventing the spread of the virus decided to send anonymously twenty cheeseburgers, and several pizza to doctors and nurses at the A&E department with a simple note saying « good luck and thank you ». 

Meanwhile In Cagnes sur mer it’s 16 years old Maxime Willebien-Pessina who has launched a group on Facebook: "The Cagnois at the windows": 

In this group, he launches a daily meeting. Everyone on their balcony,at their window, every evening at 6 p.m."For a minute, we applaud to thank the health staff, the firefighters, the police, and all those who keep us safe."

And in Nice the mayor has called for a similar action to take place in Nice at 8pm on Thursday.

Following the new measures with the clear message to « stay at home during the 15 day lockdown introduced at midday on Tuesday Riviera Radio reminds you that the following are allowed: 

• Travelling to work is permitted so long as the work is essential, cannot be postponed, and cannot be done from home

• Shopping for groceries and other essential items is allowed; there is no need for panic-buying as supermarkets and bakers can remain open throughout the lockdown

• Exceptions are also made for “imperative family reasons”, such as looking after children and the elderly. In practice, parents with shared custody can travel between each other’s homes; shopping for an elderly relative is also allowed (as long as people keep to a safe distance when visiting vulnerable relatives)

• Brief outings to get some exercise or take pets for a walk are allowed, albeit “with parsimony”; Castaner stressed that all group activities, such as playing a football match, are strictly banned 

• All health-related appointments are permitted, including trips to the pharmacy. For all information on the coronavirus outbreak in France, dial 08 00 130 000, free of charge. 

All people leaving their homes must carry a signed form, or attestation, explaining where they are headed and why. A different form is needed for each outing. Failure to produce one will result in a fine. The form details the five motives listed above; tick the relevant box when filling it in.