The Prefect of the Alpes Maritimes announced new measures today to combat the spread of covid-19 in Nice. In a joint press conference with Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi, Bernard Gonzalez said that a range of measures would be introduced in Nice as from tomorrow, Saturday, including a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people in parks, gardens and beaches. Major events in Nice will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 people. Drinking establishments must be closed between half past midnight and 6.00am and the sale of take-away alcohol is prohibited after 8pm, as is drinking in public spaces. No music will be allowed on public highways to discourage people from gathering. The Prefect said that he would consult with leaders of other municipalities in the department regarding appropriate measures for their locality. However, he announced that Neighbours Day would be cancelled throughout the whole department. Christian Estrosi said that he was continuing to suspend visits to municipal nursing homes.
After the statement by the Prefect regarding the reduction in permitted numbers at public events, OGC Nice announced that the match against Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday will be played behind closed doors.
It's been announced that this year's Mouans-Sartoux Book Festival has been cancelled. Previously it had been thought that the event may go ahead because the number of attendees was being reduced and the festival is held outdoors in the streets of the village. However, organizers said that the festival had been cancelled in the light of the Prefect's statements this morning. The next edition is now scheduled to take place in October 2021.
Three new cases of Dengue Fever have been confirmed in Nice, bringing the total number of people affected to five. All the cases are in one particular neighbourhood at the bottom of avenue de Pessicart. The disease is spread by the tiger mosquito. The Regional Health Agency said that mosquito control operations are continuing in the neighbourhood and in other areas of Nice.
A 30 year old man from Nice has been charged with offences in connection with violence which broke out in Dijon in June. Reports say that the man is from the Chechen community and that he has been remanded in custody. Another person has also been arrested and charged in the past few days bringing the total number of people charged to eleven.
BUSINESS
New figures released in the UK today show that retail sales volumes rose by 0.8% from July to August. Sales are now 4% higher than in March, when the pandemic began. Retailers reported an increase of 9.9% in sales of homeware products compared with February.
Ryanair has announced more flight cancellations in October. The airline had already cancelled 20% of flights in September and October and now expects to operate 40% of the number of October flights it flew in the same month last year. It blamed continuing travel restrictions in Ireland and in other EU member states.
The Royal Mint in the UK has said that it will temporarily stop producing some coins because of the lack of demand for cash. The Mint said it will stop production of two pound coins and two pence coins for at least the next ten years. The use of cash has declined significantly in the past few years as consumers have turned to cashless payment methods, a decline which has gathered pace during the pandemic.
SPORT
Tour de France... Kragh Andersen has won stage 19 of the Tour today. There's no change in the top ten places in the General Classification, with Primoz Roglic still in first place.
Tennis... Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the French Open with a hamstring injury. Osaka won the US Open last weekend. She said that she was still suffering from hamstring problems and wouldn't have enough time to prepare for playing on clay. The French Open starts on 27 September.
Football... Gareth Bale arrived at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground this afternoon after flying into Luton airport earlier in the day. Bale is still with Real Madrid but is expected to rejoin Spurs on loan.
In the English Premier League this weekend, on Saturday Everton play West Brom, Leeds host Fulham, Manchester United host Crystal Palace and Arsenal face West Ham. On Sunday Southampton play Spurs, Newcastle host Brighton, Chelsea play Liverpool and Leicester face Burnley. Aston Villa play Sheffield United and Wolves host Manchester City on Monday.
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