June 16th 2020

Day 89 – 2nd day of de-confinement phase III

Tuesday

Late start this morning. I first went to do a bit of shopping at the market followed by my 1st coffee at Saillan which re-opened today as planned. On my way home through the Halles I bumped into my friend Dominique from Natur’Halles who invited me for a coffee at the bar across the street from her shop. All in hall a pleasant morning so far.

I received a mail from my friend Bryan yesterday who reminded me of the so-called clusters. It is something I have tried to follow but there is a lack of information. The number of people infected is still on the rise world wide. New pockets / clusters keep popping up.

On the same subject, a few weks ago many clusters were identified in slaughter houses in France and around the world. Was it working conditions or some other form of transmission. I am not finding any news on the subject since. Quite a concern though is the fact that 500.000 (I think there is a mistake with one 0 too many) minks were put to death last weekend in Holland following the discovery that some were infected with Covid-19 and that it was spreading. I also read that for the 1st time the virus was transmitted from cats to humans. I have not red nymore on the subject to verify this yet.

I shall do some research on this as well as clusters in the coming days as this is potentially a worry.

Any input would be welcome

Pic of the day

Memories

By the way there is a story behind the jacket I am wearing. This is the official jacket and logo from 96 the football team in Hannover. Some friends and I had season tickets and went regularly to the stadium which had a great atmosphere. Anyway 96 had a competition for which you had to send photos of you if possible wearing one of their T-shirt, cap etc. I sent quite a few over the years, a few got published but I never did win anything. Maybe a photo on the “Vieux Pont” in front of the Cité in Carcassonne would do the trick.

The daily dash board

France

Occitanie

Next set of data will be available on Wednesday June 17th

Information, news and tips

► The official statement regarding travelling

Measures for France

France is gradually opening its borders to other European Union (EU) countries.

People from countries in the Schengen area (EU Member States as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican) may enter French territory without restrictions related to the fight against Covid-19. They no longer need a derogatory international travel certificate to enter French territory and are still exempted from quarantine upon arrival in France .

By way of reciprocity, however, restrictions continue to apply at the borders with :

Spain, which has chosen to maintain its travel restrictions until 21 June 2020, as well as fourteen for air passengers from European countries. France therefore maintains until that date about quarantine for arriving air passengers.
the United Kingdom, which has chosen to introduce on 8 June 2020 an obligation of quarantine for passengers arriving from France. Thus, as from 15 June 2020, travellers from the United Kingdom are no longer subject to restrictions on entry into the national territory linked to the fight against the pandemic but remain, until further notice, invited to observe a fortnight quarantine on arrival.
From 1 July 2020, France will gradually reopen its Schengen external borders in a gradual and differentiated manner depending on the health situation in each country and in accordance with the arrangements agreed at European level between now and then.

Measures in other European countries

Some countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Sweden are already accessible to the French. On 15 June 2020, Germany, Belgium, Greece and Austria will be added.

Romania only welcomes its own nationals.
Norway only opens its borders to its Nordic neighbours, with the exception of Sweden (still hard hit by the epidemic).
Denmark only welcomes people from Germany, Norway and Iceland.
Finland only allows travel with Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
Iceland requires Covid-19 testing for persons not wishing to quarantine.
If it is possible to travel to the United Kingdom since 8 June 2020, a 14 days quarantine is are imposed. This measure will be reviewed every three weeks.
Spain will reopen its borders on 21 June 2020 (instead of 1 July), except at the land border with Portugal where controls will be lifted on 1 July 2020. The quarantine imposed on new entrants by air will also be lifted from that date.
Portugal is expected to welcome foreign tourists again from 1 July 2020.
In addition, the Irish authorities continue to advise against non-essential travel to their country.
The transport offer between France and the Netherlands remains limited.
The Maltese health authorities are currently making it impossible for French people to travel normally to the country (obligation to stay 4 weeks in the transit country, quarantine of 14 days on arrival).
Travel to Cyprus is impossible until further notice.
Travellers from France to Slovenia must submit to a quarantine if they do not fall under one of the exceptions provided for.