Lunchtime News Friday 8th May 2020

May 8th ceremony in Paris – The May 8th ceremony has begun in Paris without a crowd due to the Coronavirus. French President Emmanuel Macron has laid a wreath in front of the statue of General de Gaulle before going to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Former French President’s Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande were also present at the ceremony.

Via his Twitter account Emmanuel Macron has invited the French to fly the French flag from their windows today to mark the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Germany, in Berlin, in front of all of the coalition forces. A first surrender had however been signed on May 7, 1945 in Reims to take effect the following day. 

Borders - France’s interior Minister Christophe Castaner has confirmed that restrictions on France's borders with European countries (European Union, Schengen area, United Kingdom) will be "extended at least until June 15th” and borders with non-European countries "will remain closed until 'further notice”. There is however one exception the free movement of frontier workers will be preserved.

Reopening of beaches on the Riviera – Following the French Prime Minister’s address on Thursday the reopening of beaches will be done on a case be case basis and decided upon between the mayor and the prefect of each region.

According to reports this morning it would appear that the Alpes Maritimes is divided on the measure. While the mayor of Cannes has requested the reopening of beaches for individual sporting activities including swimming the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi, wishes to wait until a later date saying that the priority now is “education, transport and security” adding that he will look at “opening public spaces such as parks, the promenade and measures for the elderly before considering a request to reopen beaches or swimming in the sea”.

Meanwhile the mayors of Villeneuve Loubet and Antibes are reportedly in agreement with the mayor of Cannes having also vowed to make a request to the prefect for individual sporting activities to be allowed on their beaches.

The situation may raise the following question. With a 100km travel limit in place the different judgements on reopening beaches could possibly lead to attracting more people to one area? As in all cases social distancing measures must be respected.

Rotary Club launch “Coup de Pouce” - Rotary Clubs in District 1730, France and around the world are mobilizing to support the fight against the current coronavirus pandemic.

The Rotary network, a network of professional excellence, thanks to the expertise of its members in many fields, is taking action to help, assist, support those in business.

It is for this reason that District 1730 has launched the "COUP DE POUCE" operation intended for all those who, under the pressure of recent events and the economic consequences.

For more information go to https://www.rotary1730.org/

Back to school in the Principality - Contrary to measures taken in France Monaco from Monday May 11th will not be opening nursery schools. The Principality will be reopening first those in high school (1e, Terminal and BTS). From May 18th middle school students (6e and 3e) and finally on the 25th primary school pupils in CP and CM2.

Corsica calls for a “green pass” - A council official in Corsica has called for the introduction of a "green pass" based on a negative Covid-19 test. The regulation would be introduced from June 23rd for the entry of any nonresident.

In a 40-page report detailing his plan Gilles Simeoni wants the green pass to be introduced for a period of three weeks from June 23rd and on a renewable basis thereafter.

Playcentres in Nice open for registration from today - From today the registration is open online or by phone for playcenters in Nice for children aged 3 to 12 years. From Wednesday 13th May and every Wednesday until the end of the school year 38 centres will be open in Nice.

Open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m and able to accommodate, under strict health guidelines, 45 children maximum, divided into groups of 10.

The City of Nice invites parents from today who wish to register their child on the website www.nice.fr for city council centers and to telephone directly to associative centers to proceed with registration.

CAP 3000 shopping centre to open - CAP 3000 shopping centre has announced that it will be opening its doors from 11am on Monday May 11th. Management at the shopping centre say that all the “necessary health and safety measures have been taken to welcome its customers in the best conditions”.

Inside CAP3000, it will now be mandatory for adults and children to wear a protective mask. For the safety of all, accesses as well as markings on the ground are in place in order to respect social distancing measures.

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