Lunchtime News Wednesday 5th May 2021

News

Fire breaks out at warehouse - A major fire has broken out in Villeneuve-Loubet. The blaze started in a warehouse, located on allée Nolis, in Villeneuve-Loubet shortly after 10am this morning. A large cloud of black smoke could be seen from Nice. 

According to reports at 11.45 this morning forty firefighters were still battling the blaze and a large explosion was heard. Local media has reported that two workmen, who were on the roof at the time, have been slightly injured.

Firefighters are faced with strong winds as they attempt to contain the fire. In a statement the deputy mayor of Villeneuve Loubet Albert Calamuso has said “there must be a lot of damage”. The local official was speaking on site as firefighters fight the blaze. 

The emergency services have set up a security perimeter and evacuated all nearby buildings and electricity has been cut off. According to the manager of the warehouse “flammable materials are on site but no gas. "

Shortly after midday reports were coming in that the blaze had been contained and was now under control. 

Accident on A8 motorway - Traffic has come to a standstill on the A8 motorway after an accident at Nice Nord westbound. At 10.30 this morning traffic was down to one lane as emergency services intervened. It is not yet known the cause of the accident or if anyone was injured.

Misunderstanding - The UKs External Relations Minister Ian Gorst has said a "misunderstanding" over post-Brexit fishing licences has led to France threatening to cut electricity to Jersey. Ian Gorst said he wanted to "heal this relationship" with French authorities.

French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin made the threat over a new licensing regime for fishing in Jersey's waters. About 95% of Jersey's electricity comes from France via undersea cables. The row emerged over a new licensing system for French fishing vessels introduced by the Government of Jersey under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Scientific Council publishes report on “Health Pass” - In a report published on Tuesday May 4th, France’s Scientific Council has said that it is in favour of using a “health pass” for large gatherings, in a "temporary and exceptional" manner.

The council says that “a health pass ensuring that a person is vaccinated against Covid or has carried out a negative test” can be used to facilitate the "return to normal life", provided that it is "in a temporary and exceptional way".

When announcing the timetable for the gradual lifting of the restriction measures on Thursday April 29th, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron considered that it would be "absurd not to use" a health pass system "in the places where crowds gather, such as stadiums, festivals, fairs or exhibitions”.

The Council however considers that having a health pass should not result in non-compliance with barrier gestures or not wearing a mask in confined spaces. Concerning a “vaccination certificate” the Scientific council proposes that this is issued two weeks after the second injection of a vaccine or four weeks after the injection of the single dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. For people who have already contracted the disease, it would be two weeks after the injection of the single dose.

 

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