Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FRANCE IS LIFTING most Covid-19 restrictions but retaining vaccination certs as case numbers ease.
The country has loosened several of the restrictions imposed to curb the latest surge, with authorities hoping a recent decline in daily cases will soon ease pressure on overburdened hospitals.
The move has divided experts after authorities reported record coronavirus infections just last month, with critics accusing the government of making a hasty bet on a return to normality.
President Emmanuel Macron is betting that widespread vaccinations will curb the pandemic, with proof of inoculation now required for the health pass used to access everything from bars and restaurants to cinemas and long-distance public transport.
The government says more than 90% of adults are vaccinated, and booster shots or proof of recovery from Covid-19 will be required to retain the new health pass — a recent negative test result is no longer accepted.
From Wednesday, wearing face masks outdoors will no longer be mandatory, and audience capacity limits have been lifted for theatres, concerts, sporting matches and other events.
Working from home is also no longer required, though it remains strongly recommended.
A second stage of easing is set for 16 February, when nightclubs can reopen after being shut in December, and standing areas will again be allowed at concerts, sporting events and bars.
Eating and drinking will also be permitted in stadiums, cinemas and public transport from that date.
Macron also suggested in a press interview published Tuesday that restrictions imposed for schools, which include face mask requirements, could be eased after the winter breaks scheduled for later this month.
Authorities view the threat of the Omicron variant as less dangerous than previous strains of the virus, even though it is more contagious.
“We have seen a weak reversal of the trend over the past few days, with fewer cases declared each day than seven days earlier,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal told France Info radio Tuesday.
An average of 322,256 cases were recorded over the previous seven days, according to latest figures, down from 366,179 a week ago.
Attal called it a “very encouraging signal” but said officials “remain cautious” because of a “very contagious” sub-variant of Omicron, BA.1, that appears to have delayed the peak of infections in other countries.
France also still has some 3,750 Covid-19 patients in intensive care, above the government’s target of 3,000, and on average the country is seeing 261 Covid-19 deaths at hospitals every day.
“We’ve clearly passed the peak, we hope the decline will be quick. But we’re coming from stratospheric levels, so this wave is still far from over,” the epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik told French daily Le Parisien today.
As of Tuesday, France had recorded 131,312 Covid-19 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I have bulimia, ..without the vomiting.
You can read minds?
Thats binge eating also an eating disorder.. Most sufferers are very overweight :/
Parents must take responsibility for their own kids health until they’re old enough to understand the consequences of poor nutrition.
Would any parent knowingly give their kids diabetes ? Probably No, and yet they do in their 1000′s, due primarily to laziness and habit. The irony is that the good unprocessed food is on average cheaper, and yet some blame low household income for being obese.
Like most problems in life responsibility for the solution must start at home.
That’s the thing though – the processed junk isn’t cheaper – it’s just easier.
Anyone who makes their own meals from scratch knows that this ultimately works out cheaper than buying processed junk. But the rub is knowing what to cook and how to cook it.
While some people will watch cookery programmes, with the exception of the likes of Jamie Oliver very few focus on stuff that is easy to make. And there are some people out there who look at cooking a healthy meal from scratch vs throwing a pizza in the oven and some chips in the deep fat fryer and they really don’t see any reason to put in the effort.
There’s no excuse these days, there’s apps and websites and cookery programmes everywhere you look – it’s about the desire to actually do it. That’s what we need to figure out how to change.
As we speak I’m eating a healthy tasty salad. Prep time – not even 5 minutes.
Exactly – if you know what you’re doing it’s really not hard, and it tastes better.. It’s just getting people motivated to move away from ready made and back to home made.
Actually fresh organic food is much more expensive than processed or “fast” foods, Wherever your finding that information it’s illegitimate.
Eating disorders me hole. It’s vanity with those men. Preening themselves.
I am sure the little bo***x Fistpatrick has no problem feeding his own with good food .
Robert – I am as shocked and appalled as you, but, can you just wait for the trial to finish so you can comment otherwise, you’ll just about everyone to the point that they’ll dismiss you when the correct time comes.
In the interim, there are plenty of discussion boards you can go to to vent your frustration.
Yes I know but I just don’t like censorship , if it was some poor guy lock up for not paying his tv license we could all make a comment because the journal know that the guy could not sue them one law for the big boy and the rest of us can f**k of.
I think its more to do with the fact that the trial is still ongoing. If someone is convicted then there is no issue with commenting.
The problem is that there is a fear that the defence of the others could try to argue that it is not possible for them to get a fair trial due to media coverage, contents etc.
I agree there is a serious chill effect on the irish media arising from our defamation laws but, that won’t change in time for comment on the bollix in question.
I agree but you and I know that the little bo**x Fitzpatrick will walk away with a big smile on his face as he knows to much ,and the powers at be don’t wont the people to know just what happen .
He always had the best chance to get off, based on whistleblower evidence. However he will be back in court this year, which thejournal.ie could easily post on.
http://m.rte.ie/news/touch//2013/0708/461236-sean-fitzpatrick-court/
My two little fellas wont eat fruit nor veggies, apart from chips an bananna sandwiches
They must have an eating disorder *sarcasm
“I don’t make my children eat healthy balanced meals”
Fixed your comment Jacinta.
Ever think to stop feeding them that sh1t and when they’re hungry they’ll soon eat all the fruit and veg you want. Might have a few tantrums but the right thing is rarely easy.
With a name like Jacintha what do you expect?!
I see where you are going with that buckwheat but normal people are also called Jacinta
Takes to long to make veggies, better ta get chipper or frozen pizza
I see what you did there Jacintha – you got me. The profile is good, if a tad un-inventive. The picture is hilarious and, even funnier is the thoughts of her actually saying ‘fruit NOR veggies’ …
Good stuff!
Is bulking and cutting a disorder?. Makingabeast syndrome ?.
If it’s done properly no, but some of these guys are off the wall with the way they bulk and cut. They cut in a way which causes malnutrition and uses massive amounts of caffeine( eh where’s your vegetables) then when they are finished cutting and have no idea as to the damage they are doing to their bodies they go and do a dirty bulk and start wolfing pizza. A lot of them are worried about their hearts and rightly so but it’s just doesn’t seem to be taken seriously.
have your say