Lunchtime News Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Local 

Covid-19 testing - A new Covid-19 screening site is set to open tomorrow Thursday 24th September at Place Masséna, in Nice.

Tests will be available free of charge and analyzed by an independent accredited laboratory.

In order to get tested, it is mandatory to make an appointment online at www.rdv-testcovid.fr

The town hall specifies that health professionals, patients with a prescription and contact cases who have been contacted by the CPAM, the Regional Health Agency or Stop Covid will be given priority.

The site will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This initiative by the city of Nice was decided "in the face of the acceleration of the virus in our territory and the growing need for tests [to] give access to the Covid-19 PCR tests to as many people as possible".

Due to the rise in cases the prefecture of the Alpes Maritimes, in agreement with the mayor of Nice, has prohibited private gatherings of more than ten people in parks, gardens, beaches. Major events must limit their capacity to 1,000 visitors, restaurants and bars must close between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. and the sale of take-out alcohol and its consumption on public roads are prohibited after 8 p.m.

City council care homes in Nice to allow visit once again – Meanwhile visits to council care homes in Nice have been authorized once again. Last Friday, the city of Nice suspended visits due to the rise in Covid-19 cases however today, the town council has announced that visits will once again be authorized under a very strict protocol.

Covid -19 cases in Monaco - Two new positive cases for Covid-19 have been declared in Monaco on Tuesday. To date 197 residents have been affected by the coronavirus. 

On Tuesday evening, following a new admission, eight patients are currently being treated at the Princess Grace Hospital: two of which are  non-resident patients in intensive care and six hospitalized patients. Four of them are residents.

24 people are being followed by the Home Monitoring Center which medically supports patients, with few symptoms, invited to confine themselves at home.

Covid-19 Figures – On a national level latest figures for Covid-19 hospitalisations in France show that 4,244 people have been admitted to hospital over the last seven days, 651 have been admitted to intensive care and 67 people have died.

Saliva test for Covid-19 - The company EasyCov, in conjunction with the Montpellier University Hospital has launched a full scale trial on saliva tests for Covid-19.

For several months now work has been carried out on the development of saliva tests and the effectiveness of the method which could eventually replace the current PCR tests.

Beaches closed to swimmers due to weather - Meanwhile Several beaches in Antibes Juan-les-Pins have been temporarily closed to swimmers. The local council said that the bad weather had led to the overload of a number of sanitation networks. As a result, swimming is prohibited until Thursday, September 24, at 9:00am.

Place Masséna renovation resumes - Renovation work on the facades of Place Masséna in Nice have resumed. Delays occurred due to financing of the major project, which requires very specific paint. The project is expected to be completed by the end of spring next year.

Place Masséna dates back to 1820 and was modelled on the Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Turin.

National

Intention to increase paternity leave in France – French President Emmanuel Macron, will today formalise his intention to double the duration of paternity leave in France, which would increase from 14 to 28 days.

The extension would be financed by social security, and not by employers. If the project is successful any employer not respecting the compulsory part of the paternity leave would be liable to a 7,500 euro fine and possible damages, as is already the case for maternity leave.

The French government is hoping to introduce the reform by mid-2021.

European summit postponed - The European summit due to be held on the 24th and 25th of September has been postponed to October 1st and 2nd after a case of Covid-19.

The announcement came after is was revealed that a security guard, who had been in close contact with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, had tested positive. Charles Michel has since tested negative and begun quarantine in line with the regulations from the Belgian health authorities.

French President urges world nations to work together - In a pre-recorded video address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the world nations to work together against Covid-19 and not be dominated by China-US rivalry.

Macron made the remarks in his address on Tuesday emphasizing the long term changes in international order that would follow the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Macron warned the pandemic had set back many of the issues at the heart of the UN since its foundation 75 years ago including in the domains of poverty, education and women's rights.

And Finally 

The International roundabout of the year has been revealed by Britain’s resident roundabout spotter. Kevin Beresford has travelled the UK looking for the perfect junction and his Roundabout Appreciation Society has revealed their number one for 2020.

After 17 years in pursuit of junction perfection the 68-year-old, who has described himself as the 'dullest man in Britain', regularly creates calendars with pictures of his favourites.

He has also branched out into other avenues over the years - his latest project is a calendar dedicated entirely to car parks.

After visiting almost countless roundabouts up and down the country. Kevin has now taken his love of roundabouts to a global stage and recently settled on International Roundabout of the Year with other enthusiasts.

After a lively debate they decided on a roundabout in Canberra, Australia which was painted the colours of the rainbow to mark the same-sex marriage Yes vote.