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Welcome to our thirty-fourth bulletin during the Coronavirus epidemic. In this issue we have information about:

• The easing of lockdown from 15th December
• The vaccination programme rollout in France from 1st January 2021

The easing of lockdown from 16th December

Although the number of daily positive tests is dropping, it is now unlikely they will reach the Government’s target of 5,000 per day by 15th December, the planned date for ending the lockdown.

There are some changes to the timetable for ending lockdown:

• Lockdown will end on Tuesday, 15th December and a curfew will be in place from Wednesday 16th December. No exemption certificate will be required for being outside the home between the hours of 06h00 and 20h00
• Travel between regions of France and outside France will be allowed from 16th December
• The curfew will be in place from 20h00 until 06h00
• The curfew will be lifted for 24th December 2020
• The curfew will NOT be lifted for 31st December 2020
• Leaving home during the hours of curfew will only be allowed for the following reasons:
  • Professional reasons (travelling to or from work). An attestation from your employer will be necessary
  • Imperative family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children
  • Medical reasons
  • The needs of household pets
  • The needs of a person with a disability and their accompanying person
• A new exemption certificate will be published to be used if you need to leave home during the hours of curfew
• There will be 65€ fine for breaking the curfew
• The Government advises that family gatherings during the holiday period should be limited to 6 adults
• Cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries, concert halls, sports venues will NOT reopen until at least 3 weeks after 15th December – i.e. Thursday 7th January 2021
• Places of worship: at least 2 empty seats between worshippers – no exemption for Christmas services
• Funerals:  limited to 30 people
• Weddings:  limited to 6 people
• Bars and cafes: – there is no definite re-opening date
• Restaurants – may open from Wednesday 20th January at the earliest but take-aways and deliveries are authorised.
• Sports clubs and facilities – will not open before 20th January.

For further information on the rules from 16th December, click here: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

The vaccination programme in France from 1st January 2021

Phase 1 – January 2021
The first 1 million doses will be administered to residents and health workers in EHPADs (nursing homes).

Phase 2 – February/March 2021
Depending on sufficient deliveries, 14 million doses will be administered to people at risk, i.e.:

• People aged over 75
• People aged between 65 and 74
• Medical professionals aged over 50 with pre-existing health problems. 

Phase 3 – Spring 2021
A campaign of mass vaccination will begin for the rest of the population over the age of 18:

• People aged between 50 and 64
• Essential workers (security, education, food production)
• Vulnerable people and their carers
• People living in hostels etc.
• The remainder of the population over age 18

The list of pre-existing conditions considered priority for vaccination includes:

• Obesity.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/English or BPCO/French)
• Other chronic respiratory problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes 1 and 2.
• Kidney insufficiency.
• Cancer in the last 3 years.
• Transplant patients.
• Downs syndrome.

 The Prime Minister also revealed that the vaccine would be free and vaccination not compulsory. 

Cancer Support France-Languedoc (CSF-L), Covid-19 response

CSF-L continues to support English speakers touched by cancer in the Hérault and Aveyron, as well as extending support to people touched by Covid-19 during the crisis. In line with guidance, this is done at distance. Our Helpline can be reached on 04 67 44 87 06. (This is a voicemail service and we aim to return calls within 24 hours of a message being left).

If there is information you would like to share with others, please contact us using our email address: feedback.csflanguedoc@gmail.com

We hope you stay safe and well.

Welcome to our twenty-ninth bulletin during the Coronavirus epidemic. In this issue we have information about:

• New confinement across France from midnight Thursday 29^th / Friday 30^th October  until at least 1 December 2020 (including Attestation required every time you go out)
• TousAntiCovid app – includes the electronic/phone-based attestations

New confinement across France from midnight Thursday 29^th / Friday 30^th October until at least 1^st December 2020 (including Attestation required every time you go out)

President Macron made a speech on the evening of Wednesday October 28^th 2020, talking about the significant increase in Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and critical care patients. He made clear that all regions are at the alert threshold and all Europe is surprised at the voracity of the second wave. Predictions are that nearly 9,000 patients will be in intensive care in mid-November and French hospitals will quickly be saturated.

France has the following objectives:

1. Protect the vulnerable and at risk
2. Protect the youngest in society
3. Protect medical staff and services
4. Protect those with limited means
5. Protect the economy

In response to this, France is entering confinement (lockdown) from midnight Thursday / Friday.

Details of what will and will not be allowed during the confinement period of October 30^th – December 1^st (with option to extend) will be announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex on the evening of October 29^th.

Attestations/certificates needed to leave your home

Residents need to complete (in paper or electronic form) a certificate for permitted activities. These include:

• essential travel to or from work (working from home is recommended wherever possible)
• for medical attention/consultations that cannot be done remotely
• to visit (in a Nursing or Care Home) or support (in a domestic setting) a dependent close one
• to drop-off/pick-up children from school
• to take exercise
• to do essential shopping
• to walk a dog (within 1 km of your home)

 Copies of the relevant attestations/certificates will be made available as soon as possible.

The new forms may include other categories, as well as clarification of the parameters of permitted activities.

Education

Nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools will remain open with strengthened health protocols. Universities will provide online courses.

Nursing and Retirement Homes

Visits will continue to be allowed to people in Nursing and Retirement Homes.

Local government and postal services
These services will remain open, with strict health protocols. La Poste and local Mairie services will still be available.

Restaurants, bars and cafés

These will be closed during the confinement.

Support for Business and workers

There will be financial support and a special plan for the self-employed, traders, very small and medium-sized enterprises. Employees and employers who cannot work will continue to benefit from partial unemployment benefit.

TousAntiCovid app – includes the electronic/phone-based attestations

The increased capacity for testing and tracing is being strongly promoted.

TousAntiCovid not only supports national efforts in track and trace, but provides daily updates to all users on Covid-19 statistics, and provides the latest, electronic copy of the attestations required.

To download the TousAntiCovid app for Apple products:
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1511279125

To download the TousAntiCovid app for Android products:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.gouv.android.stopcovid

Cancer Support France-Languedoc (CSF-L), Covid-19 response

CSF-L continues to support English speakers touched by cancer in the Hérault and Aveyron, as well as extending support to people touched by Covid-19 during the crisis. In line with guidance, this is done at distance. Our Helpline can be reached on 04 67 44 87 06. (This is a voicemail service and we aim to return calls within 24 hours of a message being left).

If there is information you would like to share with others, please contact us using our email address: feedback.csflanguedoc@gmail.com

We hope you stay safe and well.

Welcome to our twenty-seventh bulletin during the Coronavirus epidemic. In this issue we have information about increased safety measures across the whole of the Hérault from Saturday October 17 2020.

Increased safety measures across the whole of the Hérault from Saturday October 17 2020

These measures apply across the Hérault, with extra measures, (as outlined in Bulletin 26, including 9pm-6am curfew), applying in Montpellier.

Masks
These are now compulsory throughout the whole department in built-up areas (including villages).

Gatherings, Festivals and Social Events
Gatherings, festivals and social events are subject to the following measures:

• No more than 6 people in any public place (funerals excepted)
• No more than 1000 people for sporting events.
• No dancing
• No consumption of alcohol
• No amplified music in public places.

Establishments open to the public
For establishments open to the public, the following restrictions apply:

• Restaurants which open between 6am and midnight – no admission after 10pm, with obligatory masks for service personnel and for customers when standing
• There must be a register of names and contact numbers of customers
• Takeaway meals can be made available by home deliveries from 6am to midnight
• Indoor public places must ensure that there is one seat between groups and all groups must be no more than a maximum of 6 people

Sale and consumption of alcohol
Only licensed premises can sell alcohol and there is a ban on drinking in the street between 8pm and 6am.

Economy and Tourism
Shopping centres and supermarkets must ensure a minimum 4m² per client.

Places of worship
The wearing of masks is compulsory in places of worship, as is 1m distancing between worshippers.

Powers for local Mayors
Mayors have powers to pass local decrees that require a higher level of compliance at local levels. Mayors have also been given responsibility to ensure compliance at local levels.

Please be aware of any notifications provided by your own Mairie.

Protective measures

• Keep at distances of 1 metre or more apart
• Wear masks if less than 1 metre apart, even with family
• Meet outside wherever possible
• Wash hands frequently, whenever changing location, and if unable to wash hands, use hydroalcoholic gel of 70% or more strength
• Air rooms regularly (at least three minutes, three times a day)
• No more than 6 people together at one table
• No more than 6 people together from different households – even in the street

Cancer Support France-Languedoc (CSF-L), Covid-19 response
CSF-L continues to support Anglophones touched by cancer in the Hérault and Aveyron, as well as extending support to people touched by Covid-19 during the crisis. In line with guidance, this is done at distance. Our Helpline can be reached on 04 67 44 87 06. (This is a voicemail service and we aim to return calls within 24 hours of a message being left).

If there is information you would like to share with others, please contact us using our email address: feedback.csflanguedoc@gmail.com

We hope you stay safe and well.

Welcome to our twenty-sixth bulletin during the Coronavirus epidemic. In this issue we have information about:

• Key points from President Macron’s speech of Wednesday October 14 2020
• Curfews from 9pm-6am and other related measures from Saturday October 17 2020 in Montpellier, Toulouse and other Maximum Red Alert areas
• Beziers medical establishments (Beziers Hospital, Clinique Saint Privat, Clinique Causse) collaborating in contingency plans

Key points from President Macron’s speech of Wednesday October 14 2020

President Macron made a speech on Wednesday October 14 2020, pointing out very clearly that, unlike the first wave, Covid-19 is currently to be found across France, and hospital staff are already tired.

Slow down the virus

His priority was to slow down the spread of the virus in order to:

• Protect those who are older and/or vulnerable
• Protect the health service

As a nation of citizens, there is a shared responsibility to slow down the spread of Covid-19 for ourselves and for others.

The aim is to move from a current level of 20,000 new cases a day to 3,000.

The objective is to reduce contacts that increase the danger of viral spread, not to enter into another complete lockdown.

To achieve this, curfew and related measures in Maximum Red Alert areas were announced, and will be enforced from midnight on Saturday October 17 2020 (i.e. midnight of Friday/Saturday).

New app for track and trace from October 22 TOUS ANTI COVID

There will be a new app called TOUS ANTI COVID available from October 22.

There will be clear instructions as to when to use the app (i.e. whenever there is risk because of poor distancing/no mask etc).

Anyone testing positive – even if they have no symptoms – must isolate for seven days.

Government aid

The government is putting in place financial support for the poorest individuals and families, and for businesses hit hard by the measures being taken.

Curfews from 9pm-6am and other related measures from Saturday October 17 2020 (midnight Friday/Saturday) in Montpellier, Toulouse and other Maximum Red Alert areas  

Those areas to which 9pm-6am curfews and other related measures apply include Montpellier, Toulouse, Paris, Lille, Lyon, St Etienne, Grenoble, Marseille, and the Parisian region.

Details of the measures :

Curfews for six weeks

• Restaurants, cinemas, etc will have to be closed by 9pm and, because people will need to be home by 9pm, it may be that closing times are set at 8.30pm.
• People who work late/on shift will have authorisations to be out during curfew hours, as will anyone who needs to leave their house in response to an emergency.
• Fines for breach of curfew will start at €135 and will rise to €1500.

Public transport will continue to run and there will be no ban on holidays or travel between regions, however, protective behaviours must be complied with.

Protective measures

• Keep at distances of 1 metre or more apart
• Wear masks if less than 1 metre apart, even with family
• Meet outside wherever possible
• Wash hands frequently, whenever changing location, and if unable to wash hands, use hydroalcoholic gel of 70% or more strength
• Air rooms regularly (at least three minutes, three times a day)
• No more than 6 people together at one table
• No more than 6 people together from different households – even in the street

Mayors will be involved in ensuring compliance at local levels.

Béziers medical establishments (Béziers Hospital, Clinique Saint Privat, Clinique Causse) collaborating in contingency plans

Béziers is not the worst hit area of the Hérault.  Nevertheless, Béziers medical establishments (Béziers Hospital, Clinique Saint Privat, Clinique Causse) are collaborating in contingency plans. They will be sharing information daily on the numbers of Covid-19 patients, the number of A&E admissions, and will be ready to adapt as the pandemic evolves.

There will be collaboration among the “bed managers” concerning occupation of hospital beds and exchange of medical equipment. If there is a need to postpone non-emergency surgery, this will be done in close co-operation to provide made-to-measure solutions to the local population.

Cancer Support France-Languedoc (CSF-L), Covid-19 response
CSF-L continues to support Anglophones touched by cancer in the Hérault and Aveyron, as well as extending support to people touched by Covid-19 during the crisis. In line with guidance, this is done at distance. Our Helpline can be reached on 04 67 44 87 06. (This is a voicemail service and we aim to return calls within 24 hours of a message being left).

If there is information you would like to share with others, please contact us using our email address: feedback.csflanguedoc@gmail.com

We hope you stay safe and well.

Welcome to our twenty-fifth bulletin during the Coronavirus epidemic. In this issue we have information about the maximum coronavirus alerts in Montpellier and Toulouse: new restriction measures are in place from Tuesday October 13th, 2020.

Maximum coronavirus alert in Montpellier and Toulouse: new restriction measures in place from Tuesday October 13, 2020

Maximum alert is triggered for places where any of the following apply:

• the incidence rate of the virus is more than 250 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a period of seven days
• there is an incidence rate of 100 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants among the elderly over a period of seven days
• intensive care units are 30% occupied by patients with Covid-19.

Measures now in force in the 31 municipalities of the Montpellier Metropolis, and seven other neighbouring communes (Teyran, Saint-Clément-de-Rivière, Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, Montarnaud, Palavas-les-Flots, Mauguio and Saint-Aunès):

In response to the worrying progression of various Covid-19 indices, the prefect of the Hérault, Jacques Witkowski, presented the following restrictions for Montpellier and its metropolis, as well as seven municipalities, (all now in the maximum alert zone):

Prohibited gatherings
In terms of the measures taken – initially for two weeks – gatherings of more than ten people on public roads or in public spaces, with the exception of those authorised, are now prohibited.  Drinking establishments, dance venues, casinos, gaming rooms, marquees, trade fairs and salons can no longer receive the public.

A strict protocol for restaurants
For seated catering, service is only at the table with a minimum distance of one metre between each chair and a limitation of six people per table.  Each restaurant must provide a ‘reminder booklet’ to contain names and telephone numbers so that customers can be contacted in the event of a health alert.

Shopping centres and department stores
Shopping centres and department stores must ensure capacity for 4 m² per customer.

Additional measures in Toulouse and 16 nearby municipalities: Colomiers, Tournefeuille, Blagnac, Plaisance-du-Touch, Cugnaux, Balma, Castanet, Saint-Orens, Labège, Aucamville, Launaguet, L’Union, Portet, Ramonville, Auzeville and Quint-Fonsegrives:

Bars closed
All bars are required to close to the public.

Indoor sports
All indoor sports activities are prohibited.

Restaurants
Restaurants must ensure all sanitary protocol measures are taken by clients as well as staff. They must also note the contact details of their customers, collect bills at the table, and limit the number at each table to 6 people.

Dance venues, casinos, gaming rooms, party halls, multipurpose halls, marquees, exhibition venues and trade fairs
All are prohibited from welcoming the public.

Cancer Support France-Languedoc (CSF-L), Covid-19 response
CSF-L continues to support Anglophones touched by cancer in the Hérault and Aveyron, as well as extending support to people touched by Covid-19 during the crisis. In line with guidance, this is done at distance. Our Helpline can be reached on 04 67 44 87 06. (This is a voicemail service and we aim to return calls within 24 hours of a message being left).

If there is information you would like to share with others, please contact us using our email address: feedback.csflanguedoc@gmail.com

We hope you stay safe and well.