- The Prime Minister, Jean Castex, and the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, took stock, this Thursday evening, on the crisis health related to the epidemic of new coronavirus.
- The return of cinemas, museums, theaters, restaurants and bars, don’t bother thinking about it before February. A stopover will be organized on 19 January. As for people over 45 years, they may get vaccinated “from Monday 10 January “.
- The government plans to postpone the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine” for up to six weeks instead of three “to have more doses.
Sad news, but hope is there. After having presented his wishes and addressed his thoughts to the people who suffered from the pangs of the pandemic, Jean Castex took stock of the health situation before defending the government’s vaccination strategy. “The vaccine is the main source of hope for getting out of the crisis”, insisted the Prime Minister.
- At the time when WHO
asks Europe to “do more” in the face of an “alarming situation”, the head of government and the Minister of Health Olivier Véran gave more visibility to the sectors affected by the crisis of Covid – 19. Back on the main announcements of the press conference this Thursday.
Two disturbing new strains of the virus
The second wave is still here. The situation in France is still fragile and the pressure on hospitals remains strong with more than 100 ICU admissions every day and every other bed occupied by a Covid patient – 18. Two variants resulting from mutations worry particularly the authorities . Two “risk clusters” of the British variant of the coronavirus, which is more transmissible, have been detected in France, Brittany and Ile-de-France.
In total, 19 cases of contamination by this variant have so far been proven throughout France, as well as three others by another variant that appeared in South Africa. The border with the United Kingdom will remain closed “until further notice” to prevent the circulation of this new strain.
The curfew at 10 hours could be extended
Let it be said, there is no question of relaxing the measures at all. On the contrary, ten new departments could be affected by an advanced curfew at 18 hours . Decisions will be made “by tomorrow evening” for implementation from Sunday. The Prime Minister does not rule out strengthening national measures depending on the development of the coming weeks.
What about culture, ski resorts, restaurants and bars?
The return of cinemas, museums, theaters, it is not for now. And let’s not even talk about restaurants and bars. All the activities, all the establishments, all the equipment that are closed today will remain so until the end of the month. A point will be made on 20 January with the all affected sectors to consider a recovery in early February. Similarly with mountain professionals , to study the possibility of reopening the ski lifts for the February holidays. Do not plan to drink at the counter or eat a steak in your favorite restaurant before at least mid-February. All the mechanisms put in place to economically support these sectors are maintained under the same conditions.
An immediate work stoppage
The return of cinemas, museums, theaters, it is not for now. And let’s not even talk about restaurants and bars. All the activities, all the establishments, all the equipment that are closed today will remain so until the end of the month. A point will be made on 20 January with the all affected sectors to consider a recovery in early February. Similarly with mountain professionals , to study the possibility of reopening the ski lifts for the February holidays. Do not plan to drink at the counter or eat a steak in your favorite restaurant before at least mid-February. All the mechanisms put in place to economically support these sectors are maintained under the same conditions.
From 000 January , a person who shows symptoms or who has been in contact with the virus can register on the Health Insurance website to obtain an “immediate” compensated work stoppage without a waiting period. From 19 January, each person declared positive will be offered a home visit by a nurse. Systematic follow-up will be carried out by the Health Insurance with two to three telephone calls over seven days.
The vaccine accessible to more than 45 years from 10 January
The over the age of 45 years can be vaccinated “from Monday