Lunchtime News Wednesday 26th August 2020

Local

Fire risk in the Var - The Center-Var and the Maures massifs have been placed on a “very severe” fire risk today. All nine massifs in the Var are prohibited to the public.

Chlorine leak in La Seyne-sur-mer - A security perimeter has been put in place after a chlorine leak was reported in the Sablettes district of La Seyne-sur-Mer, in the Var.

According to reports the incident which occurred in the middle of the night, involved two cylinders of 100 kilos each which had broken out spilling onto "a drinking water site".

Emergency services intervened to warn residents in the area.

Prime Minister addresses Coivd-19 pandemic in France - France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex has addressed several aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic in France and called on the French to act responsibly during an interview on France Inter on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister assured that there was "no need to panic" due to the increase in cases of contamination in France, while specifying that "there is no second wave” at present and that the government’s goal is that the French people can resume a "normal life" while "protecting themselves".

Concerning the possibility of a return to lockdown the Prime Minister said that this “was not the government’s objective” adding that isolation may take place “on a case by case basis, if necessary” for nursing homes.

He called on citizens to take responsibility: "The mask is extremely useful and if [the anti-masks] don't believe it for themselves because they feel invincible, let them think of others". "Everyone must feel concerned by the fight against the pandemic", he added.

Castex defended the government’s decision not to supply free masks saying the he does not "want to pay for masks to families who do not need them", adding that "young people in urban areas" have already obtained them in cities where wearing a mask is compulsory in public transport . He concluded that "Masks in schools is not a school supply, it is a protection tool."

As far as the economic recovery plan is concerned the Prime Minister confirmed that it will be presented on Thursday 3rd September. Jean Castex concluded by saying the he feared  that the economic and social crisis "is more dangerous" than health.

Alexei Navalny - As western countries voice their worries after the alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny in Siberia France has this week said that the Russian opposition leader, who was transferred to a hospital in Germany, had been the victim of a "criminal act".

In a statement from the Foreign ministry it was expressed that "France felt a profound concern over this criminal act perpetrated against a major figure in Russian political life,"

And called on Russia to "carry out a swift and transparent investigation which will enable the circumstances in which this act was committed to be established. Those responsible for this act must be identified and brought to justice."