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Tag: france

  • UK quarantine rules discriminatory: France

    UK quarantine rules discriminatory: France

    France has been singled out because of the British government’s concerns about the constant presence of the Beta variant of the coronavirus, but French officials said most of the cases come from the overseas island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

    France said on Thursday that it did not understand why it was exempted from the new rule which allows fully vaccinated European Union citizens to enter England without quarantine.

    From next week, passengers who have received vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency will be able to travel from any country that has been on the British government’s orange list without the need for self-isolation for 10 days, it announced on Wednesday the British government.

    Arrivals from France are the only exception.

    “This decision is discriminatory towards the French. It is excessive and makes no sense in the context of health policy,” French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told the LCI TV channel, adding that it has no foundation in science.

    France has been singled out because of the British government’s concerns about the constant presence of the Beta variant of the coronavirus, which is believed to be more resistant to vaccines.

    But French officials say most of the cases come from the overseas island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

    Speaking to BBC Today, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made clear that France was on the amber plus list and this was the government’s policy.

    “The announcement in relation to double vaccinations from Europe will not apply to them. There’s an exemption for them specifically,” he told BBC.

    “Obviously the evidence presented on which the original decision was taken was based on the prevalence of the so-called Beta variant, in particular in the Réunion bit of France which of course is away from the mainland.”

    The island is 5,800 miles from Paris. But Raab said that was irrelevant. “It’s not the distance that matters, it’s the ease of travel between different component parts of any individual country,” he said.

    Britain will review the status of passengers from France at the end of next week.

    French officials have complained about British travel restrictions for France.

    “We should have kept reciprocity as a trump card up our sleeve at the European level. Maybe Europe, in general, should have been tougher in the negotiations,” Minister Beaune said.

    France on Wednesday reported just under 28,000 new Covid cases in the previous 24 hours and 40 new virus deaths. According to the health authorities, 111,768 people died as a result of Covid-19 in France, AFP reports.

    Health pass from Aug 9

    A new law in France extending the use of a health pass to a wider range of public places will enter into force on August 9 to help the country battle with the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said.

    “The health pass is a small tool that can save many lives. It is the best way to protect our freedom and ensure that our country remains open,” Attal told the press on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting.

    Under the law, only people who have completed their vaccination, tested negative or recently recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed to enter restaurants and cafes, and go to shopping centres, gyms and even hospitals except for emergencies, reports Xinhua news agency.

    The use of the health pass has been compulsory since July 21 in cultural and leisure venues (cinemas, museums, etc.) where more than 50 people gather.

    “Thanks to the vaccine we will be able to avoid a strong rush to hospitals in August,” Attal said.

    Warning that “the sanitary situation continues to worsen and remains worrying” ,he urged his hesitating compatriots to get vaccinated.

    To date, 50.5 per cent of the French population, or 34 million people, have completed their vaccination against Covid-19. (ANI/FENA/IANS)

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  • UK, France vow to protect passengers on Channel ferries

    UK, France vow to protect passengers on Channel ferries

    In a statement, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said: “As Home Secretary, the protection of the public and our citizens is paramount…reports Asian Lite News.

    UK emergency responders will have more power to deal with terrorist incidents in the Channel thanks to a new treaty which the Foreign Secretary signed in Paris on Monday.

    The UK-France Maritime Security Treaty, negotiated between the UK Home Office and French Secrétariat général de la Défense et de la Sécurité nationale, aims at a seamless joint and coordinated action to be taken by UK and French forces in response to an incident, such as a terrorist attack on board a ferry or other large vessel in the Channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeiTUY8LH8U

     “As close allies it is vital the UK and France work together to protect our citizens and values,” Dominic Raab said in a statement. “Today’s signing of the UK-France Maritime Security Treaty will reinforce our ability to jointly respond swiftly and effectively to terrorist threats in the Channel.”

    Government said the treaty strengthens UK security by fully equipping law enforcement and emergency responders to respond to terrorist incidents, no matter where they occur.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2vveRwo_yk

    In a statement, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said: “As Home Secretary, the protection of the public and our citizens is paramount. The intelligence and security tools this new cooperation provides will give law enforcement and our emergency responders the additional support they need to protect us all. In an uncertain world we must continue to work effectively with international partners to prevent and disable serious security threats.”

    The Treaty includes provisions which will enable the UK and France to: share security information concerning potential security threats; mount swifter and stronger initial responses to serious security incidents; coordinate more efficient joint responses, and cooperate more effectively in the aftermath of an attack or incident.

    On Monday, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary met their French counterparts for joint discussions. The meeting covered key security and foreign policy issues including new fields of co-operation on emerging technologies, European security, security in Africa and the Levant, and our joint work concerning China, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and the Indo Pacific.

    ALSO READ-France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

    READ MORE-UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

  • France urges EU to handle migrants at Northern Borders

    France urges EU to handle migrants at Northern Borders

    In 2020, more than 9,500 crossings or attempted crossings of the Channel were registered, four times as many as in 2019, while the tally for the first half of 2021 already tops the total for last year…reports Asian Lite News.

    French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin asked for the EU border agency Frontex’s assistance and the closer cooperation of northern European states in stemming the flow of illegal migrants crossing the Channel en route to the United Kingdom.

    “We need European air surveillance. I myself have contacted Frontex, which is predominantly taking care of southern Europe, and asked them to deal with northern Europe, too, particularly the coastline of Nord-Pas-de-Calais,” Darmanin said during his visit to the northern French city of Calais, a point from which many migrants try to cross the Channel to reach the UK, as quoted by The Times.

    Darmanin welcomed a deal signed last week under which London pledged 63 million euros (USD 74 million) to help France curb migrant flow to the UK by deploying more security forces and installing the latest surveillance equipment.

    The minister called on the Netherlands and Belgium to foster cooperation since up to 60% of migrants that enter France on the way to the UK come from Belgium. The issue is to be placed on the agenda after France takes over the EU presidency in January 2021.

    French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin (IANS)

    In 2020, more than 9,500 crossings or attempted crossings of the Channel were registered, four times as many as in 2019, while the tally for the first half of 2021 already tops the total for last year.

    Last week, the UK had agreed to pay France an extra 55 million pounds ($74 million) to combat a surge in illegal boats crossing the English Channel, the Home Office in London announced.

    In order to stem the rising number of migrants crossing the Channel, British Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay the sum as part of a deal reached with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

    The money, on top of 25 million pounds allocated last year, will pay to double the number of French patrol police to around 200 a day, and to extend the use of surveillance technology over a wider area of the north French coast, the Home Office said on Wednesday.

    It is also expected to lead to a joint bid to forge a new pan-European deal for European Union (EU) nations to take back illegal migrants who reach the UK.

    The Home Office said the number of people who have made the crossing in 2021 so far is already higher than last year’s record-breaking 8,420 crossings.

    Local media reported that almost 1,000 have crossed the Channel to the UK in the past three days as smugglers took advantage of the good weather, bringing the total number to at least 8,452 this year.

    Thousands more are expected over the next two months. (ANI/Sputnik/IANS)

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    READ MORE-France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

  • France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

    France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

    France will double the number of police patrolling its beaches as part of a deal with the UK to stem the number of migrants crossing the English Channel, the media reported citing officials.

    The UK will pay more than 54 million pounds as part of the deal agreed between ministers, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

    The Home Office said the two countries would also improve intelligence sharing and use better technology to target those who organise the crossings.

    The number of people crossing the Channel this year has now overtaken last year’s total.

    A group of migrants was seen arriving at Dover on Wednesday morning, bringing the total number this year to more than the 8,461 who made the crossing in 2020.

    On Monday, at least 430 migrants crossed the Channel — a record for one day. The previous daily high of 416 was set in September last year.

    The Home Office said on Tuesday that 287 people had landed in the UK.

    On Tuesday, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel and French interior minister Gerald Darmanin agreed to “strengthen co-operation”.

    The Home Office said UK support last year helped France double the number of officers deployed daily on the beaches of its northern coast.

    It said this resulted in France preventing twice as many crossings so far this year compared with the same period in 2020.

    However, it said the people who facilitated the crossings had now changed their tactics and had moved further up the French coast, “forcing migrants to take even longer, riskier journeys”.

    The new support announced by the UK would enable France “to respond by posting more security forces further up the coast, installing and utilising the latest surveillance equipment throughout northern France”, the Home Office said.

    Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said the extra funding would “help to stem the flow of people seeking to make that very dangerous crossing”.

    Read More:

    https://londondailydigital.com/2021/07/22/uk-pm-asked-to-apologise-for-over-80s-covid-comment/
  • France rolls out Covid passport to enter crowded places

    France rolls out Covid passport to enter crowded places

    When entering sports and cultural events, visitors can remove their face masks, which remain mandatory in shops, businesses and public transport…reports Asian Lite News.

    People who want to go to cinemas, museums, sports matches and other cultural events in France will have to show proof of the Covid-19 vaccine or a negative test starting Wednesday, as the country faces a sudden jumping new cases of coronavirus highly transmissible Delta variant.

    A so-called health passport will be needed for all events or venues with more than 50 people before it expands to restaurants, cafes and shopping malls in August, President Emmanuel Macron announced in a televised address last week.

    When entering sports and cultural events, visitors can remove their face masks, which remain mandatory in shops, businesses and public transport

    .The masks are now again mandatory outside in the southern part of France on the border with Spain, the eastern Pyrenees district, as well as in much of the western French district near Bordeaux, a popular tourist destination where the number of newly infected is growing, a news agency reported.

    Wearing masks is mandatory from Tuesday in Toulouse and other nearby cities.

    Health Minister Olivier Veran warned on Tuesday of an increase in cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 when 18,000 cases were recorded in 24 hours.

    “That means we increased the spread of the virus by about 150 per cent last week, we’ve never seen that before,” Veran told parliament as he began debating stricter rules aimed at encouraging vaccination.

    Possession of a Covid-19 passport is regulated by a decree, while lawmakers will vote to extend the possession of a health pass to restaurants, trains and long-haul planes.

    From September, the vaccine will be mandatory for both health workers and retirement home workers, many of whom were particularly cautious or refused to be vaccinated.

    More than 100,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in France against the health pass, condemning a “dictatorship” that would discriminate against those who oppose the vaccine.

    Covid-19 incidence rates now exceed 50 per 100,000 people in Paris and much of southern and western France, where thousands of families traditionally spend their holidays.

    But the government hopes mass vaccination will mitigate the spread of the fourth-wave epidemic, which could again fill hospitals or require new blockades.

    Millions of French people booked appointments for the vaccine after Macron’s address last week, and more than 37 million people, which is 56 per cent of the population, received at least one of the two required doses.

    By the end of July, 40 million people will be vaccinated with at least one dose, a target reached a month ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Jean Castex told lawmakers on Tuesday.

    But as a sign of opposition to harsher measures, two vaccination centres were vandalized last week, and MPs from the Macron party are the target of threats on social networks.

    Paris prosecutors said on Tuesday they were investigating death threats received by several lawmakers who supported the new rules.

    Meanwhile, prosecutors in the Mediterranean city of Toulon have opened an investigation into “public insults” over posters depicting Macron as Hitler saying “Obey, get vaccinated.” (ANI/FENA)

    ALSO READ-UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

    READ MORE-4th Covid-19 wave hits France

  • 4th Covid-19 wave hits France

    4th Covid-19 wave hits France

    The Delta variant now accounts for 80 percent of the overall infections in France, he added…reports Asian Lite News.

    A fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit France which is spreading at “lightning” speed, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said and also announced tougher sanctions on non-compliance with the health pass rules.

    “We are seeing a wave faster than all the previous ones,” Attal said while addressing a press conference late on Monday.

    He noted that the incidence rate has spiked by nearly 125 per cent in one week, “an increase so strong, so sudden that we had never known since the beginning of the epidemic in our country”, reports Xinhua news agency.

    “For several days we have crossed the threshold of 10,000 positive cases every day. This virus contaminates at lightning speed.”

    The Delta variant now accounts for 80 per cent of the overall infections in France, he added.

    The overall caseload and death toll currently stood at 5,931,923 and 111,678.

    Since July 12, the number of departments exceeding the alert threshold of 50 infections per 100,000 inhabitants has increased from 12 to 37, according to data released by the Health Ministry.

    The surge mainly concerns the overseas departments, the Paris region and the coast, where there are many tourist arrivals during the summer period.

    The government spokesman called for everything to be done so that the fourth wave would not be “more devastating” than the previous ones.

    Earlier on Monday, a cabinet meeting adopted a law bill containing new measures intended to contain the rapid spread of the virus, including compulsory vaccination for caregivers and massive extension of the health pass, announced by President Emmanuel Macron last week.

    Under the bill, a compulsory health pass for access to cultural and leisure venues will come into force on Wednesday, certifying that the bearer has either been fully vaccinated or had a recent, negative PCR test.

    For bars and restaurants and certain shopping centres, “the pass will be due on August 30, the time for those who wish to be vaccinated”, Attal said late Monday.

    The bill, to be presented to Parliament at the end of the week, also included an obligation of 10-day isolation for people who test positive for the virus.

    There will be checks and sanctions for non compliance with the health pass rules, with a fine of up to 1,500 euros for a natural person and 7,500 euros for a legal person at the first breach, said Attal.

    At the third breach, it can go up to one year in jail and a fine of 9,000 euros for a natural person, and one year in jail and 45,000 euros for a legal person, he added.

    Warning about the risk of a new variant if the virus circulates too much, Attal said “vaccination coverage is not sufficient” in France.

    Till date, 30.79 million people in France have completed their vaccination, representing 45.7 per cent of total population.

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  • UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

    UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

    As part of the deal, the UK will pay more than £54 million and France will double the number of police patrolling its beaches for the second time in a year to prevent illegal migration, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

    Home Secretary Priti Patel and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Tuesday signed an agreement to strengthen UK-France joint cooperation to tackle illegal immigration across the Channel.

    As part of the deal, the UK will pay more than £54 million and France will double the number of police patrolling its beaches for the second time in a year to prevent illegal migration. This follows a rise in dangerous crossings through small boats departing French beaches.

    The Home Office said the two countries would also improve intelligence sharing and use better technology to target those who organise the crossings.

    On Monday at least 430 migrants crossed the Channel – a record for one day, the BBC reported.

    The Home Office said on Tuesday 287 people had landed in the UK. The previous daily high of 416 was set in September last year. Already this year, 8,460 people have reached the UK, which is almost equal to the total number who made the crossing in the whole of 2020, according to the report.

    The agreement between two countries comes as the Home Secretary’s New Plan for Immigration is debated in Parliament this week. The Nationality and Borders Bill will address the failures of the current asylum system and the criminal activity behind illegal migration.

    The Bill aims to welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it, rather than allowing people to undertake dangerous journeys to the UK as their preferred destination.

    “The British people have simply had enough of illegal migration and the exploitation of migrants by criminal gangs,” the home secretary said. “Illegal immigration is driven by serious organised criminals and people smugglers. The public are rightly angry that small boats are arriving on our shores, facilitated by appalling criminal gangs who profit from human misery and put lives at risk.”

    “The government is addressing the challenge of illegal migration for the first time in over two decades through comprehensive reform of our asylum system which will enable us to going after the gangs exploiting people, deter illegal entry into the UK, introduce new and tougher criminal offences for those attempting to enter the UK illegally and strengthen our ability to remove those with no legal right to be in the UK,” she added.

    With UK support last year, France doubled the number of officers deployed daily on French beaches, improved intelligence sharing and purchased more cutting-edge technology. This resulted in France preventing twice as many crossings so far this year than in the same period in 2020, the UK government said.

    However, as French interceptions increased, organised criminal gangs have changed their tactics, moving further up the French coast, and forcing migrants to take even longer, riskier journeys.

    As part of the deal, France will now be able to respond by posting more security forces further up the coast, installing and utilising the latest surveillance equipment throughout northern France.

    French officers will patrol wider areas of coastline across the northern coast between Boulogne and Dunkirk, and will expand patrols further north-west around Dieppe. They will also deploy wide-area surveillance technology to improve coverage of the coast of France to prevent crossing attempts, including the use of aerial surveillance.

    The package agreed by both parties also include investment in infrastructure to increase border security at key border crossing points along the Channel coast.

    Whilst these are important steps, the UK and France agreed that further collaboration would be required to significantly disrupt the organised crime which underpins the small boats phenomenon as well as any other form of illegal migration towards the UK through France.

    Both nations agreed to implement a long-term plan for a ‘smart border’ along the coast and improve existing surveillance technology. New cutting-edge technology will identify where crossings are being attempted, directing French law enforcement officers to those locations, thereby stopping migrants from risking their lives in entering the water.

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  • India, France complete partnership naval exercise

    India, France complete partnership naval exercise

    Earlier this month, the seventh edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was also hosted by the French Navy at La Reunion in Italy…reports Asian Lite News.

    On completion of a port visit to Brest in France, Indian Navy Ship Tabar undertook a maritime partnership exercise with the French naval frigate FNS Aquitaine in the Bay of Biscay recently.

    An NH 90 helicopter from FNS Aquitaine and four Rafale fighters from the French Navy also participated in the exercise. Operations that were undertaken included surface maneuvers, Replenishment At Sea approach, firing on target, Vertical Replenishment and cross-deck activity, a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a tweet.

    “INS Tabar undertook maritime partnership exercise with French Navy Frigate FS Aquitaine in the Bay of Biscay on 15-16 Jul,” the tweet said.

    Earlier this month, the seventh edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was also hosted by the French Navy at La Reunion in Italy.

    Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, participated virtually in the inaugural session of the three-day event.

    IONS, conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008, seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to a common understanding on the way ahead. (ANI)

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  • Vaccinated arrivals from France must still quarantine

    Vaccinated arrivals from France must still quarantine

    Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 after feeling “a bit groggy”…reports Asian Lite News.

    Britain announced on Friday that it is lifting planned mitigation measures against the spread of coronavirus for visitors from France, which should take effect on Monday due to the continued presence of a beta variant of coronavirus first spotted in South Africa.

    Everyone coming from France will have to go to quarantine at home or in other accommodation for ten days, even if they are fully vaccinated, the British Ministry of Health announced.

    The quarantine request will be lifted as planned on Monday for fully vaccinated travellers from other countries in the UK’s coronavirus risk categorization, which includes most of Europe. Just over two-thirds of British adults are fully vaccinated.

    Monday marks the end of most of all coronavirus control rules in England, including the legal obligation to wear masks. Travellers from abroad, however, are subject to coronavirus quarantine and testing.

    “With the lifting of restrictions across the country on Monday, we will do everything we can to ensure that international travel is done as safely as possible and to protect our borders from the dangers of coronavirus variants,” News agency reported citing Health Minister Sajid Javid.

    Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 after feeling “a bit groggy”.

    Earlier on Saturday, Javid said in a tweet: “I tested positive for Covid. I’m waiting for my PCR result, but thankfully I have had my jabs and symptoms are mild.

    “Please make sure you come forward for your vaccine if you haven’t already.”

    Confirming the positive test later in the day, he tweeted: “My positive result has now been confirmed by PCR test, so I will continue to isolate and work from home.”

    Javid became the Health Secretary following the resignation of his predecessor Matt Hancock last month, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Hancock broke Covid-19 social distancing guidelines during an alleged affair with his aide, which reportedly caused an outrage in the country. (ANI/FENA/IANS)

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  • France going child-free to save planet

    France going child-free to save planet

    World Population Day, which was observed on July 11, serves as another reminder of the world’s ballooning population…reports Asian Lite News.

    French nationals are going ‘childfree’ in order to control overpopulation and reverse global warming as the world’s population exceeds 7.8 billion people.

    “Having a child would be totally against my principles. I’ve never wanted children and am more certain of this decision the older I get,” said Manon, 26. “I don’t see why I would impose another consumer on this world. In the Western world, we consume more than the resources available,” she added, reported France24.

    Like Manon, more and more young adults are deciding not to have children for environmental reasons in order to help the planet.

    Online they call themselves “childfree” or even “ginks” – short for “green inclinations, no kids” – and they staunchly defend their decision not to have children, reported France24.

    World Population Day, which was observed on July 11, serves as another reminder of the world’s ballooning population.

    “I have absolutely no desire to leave this planet to a child,” YouTuber Anna Bogen tells her more than 15,000 subscribers in a video on her channel. “When the planet has no resources left, I’ll be six feet under. But if I have a child, they and their children will have to live with it. I don’t want to inflict that on anybody.”

    Denis Garnier, the president of Demographie Responsable (Responsible Demographics), an organisation founded in 2009 to promote a lower birth rate, said that over the past 10 years, talking about not having children has become a lot more common. “Young people are a lot more aware, thanks to the publication of studies about global warming and more public questioning about the destruction of biodiversity,” he explained.

    A graphic on the organisation’s website counts in real-time the number of people alive on earth. The counter steadily ticks upwards. “We’re already at 7.8 billion. It’s already too much. We will hit 8 billion by 2022 or 2023,” says Garnier.

    “Overpopulation has major environmental consequences. The calculation is simple: the more of us there are, the more CO2 we emit, and the worse climate change is,” said Jean-Loup Bertaux, a Director of studies at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the author of “Demographics, climate, migration: the state of emergency”.

    “In France, one less child represents 40 tonnes of carbon saved per year. In comparison, choosing to use an electric car only represents two tonnes saved”, reported France24.

    Every year, the American NGO Global Footprint Network calculates Earth Overshoot Day, the day when the earth consumes more resources than it can regenerate that year. In 2020, that threshold was reached on August 22.

    Those who have chosen to be childfree express anxiety about the future in online videos and comments, but also show a certain kind of defiance towards the previous generation, reported France24.

    “I have never known an adult without children. For me, having kids was something mandatory, like getting up to go to school in the morning […] But we have to ask, what kind of world are we leaving to our kids? I don’t know if I want to leave them a world like this,” admits Clemence, a 27-year-old YouTuber. (ANI)

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