Daily Post – June 25th

Posted on June 25, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

461 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ NEWS

Thanks to the figures communicated this Thursday 24 June by Santé publique France, here is the balance of the epidemic in the region, in the Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales.

Only 2 patients left in critical care in the Aude
As of 24 June, 39 people were hospitalised for Covid in Aude (2 less in 24 hours). This is a figure that has not been seen since 28 October last.

Among them, 2 are in critical care (stable). A figure not seen since 24 October. 19 were treated in conventional hospital (-2), 17 in follow-up care or long-term care (stable) and 1 in another type of establishment (stable).

In the department, 367 deaths due to Covid have been reported in hospitals, a figure that has remained stable for 11 days. In Aude, 1,218 people have returned home since March, including 3 more since the previous day.

Nine in the P.-O.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales on 24 June, 61 patients are being treated in hospital in the department, -1 in 24 hours.

Some 9 of them are in critical care (resuscitation, intensive care or continuous monitoring), stable in 24 hours. But this indicator has been rising since 19 June (6).
19 patients were treated in conventional hospital (-1), 31 in follow-up care or long-term care (stable) and 2 in another type of establishment (stable).

No additional deaths have been reported since Wednesday. In total, 328 people have died in hospital in the department since March 2020. This figure has remained unchanged since 14 June. Finally, 1,385 patients were able to return home, stable in 24 hours.

▫️ STREET ART

Not bad if you are

a King Crimson

fan

I happen to be such a fan

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS – From France’s point of view. (🔸 =New)

24/06: People who have been vaccinated or who have already had covid can now enter Norway without quarantine. . 🔸
24/06: The US says restarting international tourism is a priority, but has not yet announced a date for reopening borders to Europeans. . 🔸

24/06: From 1 July, vaccinated people will no longer need to be tested on arrival in Iceland or quarantined while waiting for the results. 🔸
24/06: The Netherlands no longer requires a test for travellers from France. 🔸
24/06: Israel postpones the opening of its borders to tourists until 1 August. 🔸

23/06: Russia, Namibia and Seychelles have been added to the red list 🔴 of countries for which a compelling reason is required to travel from France, even for vaccinated people.
23/06: By plane or by boat, travellers who wanted to travel between Guadeloupe and Martinique will no longer be isolated on arrival.
23/06: Australia begins to reopen its borders to vaccinated students.


22/06: The islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan in Thailand could reopen to vaccinated people as early as July 15, shortly after Phuket opens on July 1.
22/06: Travellers, even unvaccinated, can now enter Montenegro without a test.
22/06: People who have been vaccinated or who have already had covid are now exempt from PCR testing to enter Italy.
22/06: Hong Kong to reduce quarantine time to 7 days for vaccinated people.
22/06: As of July 5, fully vaccinated travellers who are allowed to enter Canada will no longer be required to quarantine or test on the 8th day after arrival. In addition, fully vaccinated air travellers will not be required to stay in a government-approved hotel. However, tourists are still not allowed in until at least 21 July.


21/06: Estonia no longer imposes a quarantine on travellers from France.
21/06: The land border between Guinea and Senegal will be reopened very soon.
21/06: Niger has reopened its land borders.
21/06: Tunisia announces a general lockdown in four regions.
21/06: Norway to reopen its borders on 24 June.
21/06: The Czech Republic has reopened its borders.
21/06: Finland has reopened its borders to people who have been vaccinated or who have already had the covid.
21/06: Canada extends the closure of the land border with the United States until at least July 21.


19/06: Following Germany’s classification of Namibia as a country with a variant of concern, as of midnight Saturday 19, French nationals not resident in Germany are no longer allowed to board a flight to Europe via Germany.


18/06: In contrast to the easing of health restrictions in several European countries, Portugal has decided to ban entry to and exit from the Lisbon area over the weekend.
18/06: France is now placed in a green zone by Romania. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine and no longer need to present a PCR test on arrival in Romania.
18/06: Germany has removed France from its list of travel risk areas. There is therefore no longer a quarantine.

17/06: Indonesia may start to reopen its borders in July, but it is not clear how.
17/06: The UK is considering re-allowing vaccinated Britons to travel. It is not yet known whether vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter the kingdom without quarantine.
17/06: Ireland to reopen its borders without quarantine on 19 July.
17/06: Latvia has reopened its borders.
17/06: Hungary will reopen its borders on 24 June.
17/06: The list of green, orange and red countries for entry to and exit from France has been updated:

▸ Canada, USA move to green list (but these countries do not yet allow travellers from Europe)

▸ Turkey moves to orange list

▸ Afghanistan, Maldives and Paraguay move to red list


17/06: Unvaccinated people without compelling reasons can now travel to French Polynesia if they have been in the US for at least 15 days (previously 1 month) even if they are not American.


16/06: Thailand gives itself 120 days to fully reopen its borders. Source
16/06: Malawi closes land and sea borders. Source : Email from Malawi Tourism Council

15/06: Morocco has reopened its air and sea borders.
15/06: The launch of the health pass in the European Union is scheduled for 1 July, but Member States retain the possibility of reintroducing certain travel restrictions, particularly in the case of variants. States agreed to harmonise the validity periods of PCR tests (no more than 72 hours before arrival at destination) and antigenic tests (no more than 48 hours). They also agreed that travelling children under 12 years of age should be exempt from testing and that minors travelling with their parents or an accompanying adult should not be required to undergo quarantine if the accompanying adult is not subject to it. However, the implementation of these decisions is not binding.


14/06: Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Kyrgyzstan from 19 June.
14/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.


12/06: The first phase of the reopening of the borders of Mauritius will start on 15 July, provided you are vaccinated and test negative. A 14-day quarantine will be imposed. Unrestricted travel to Mauritius will not be possible until 1 October.


11/06: France is now placed by the Romanian authorities in the “yellow zone”, with reduced entry conditions. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine.
11/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Honduras.


10/06: As of 21 June, it will be possible to download a certificate of vaccination, certified in accordance with European standards, with English subtitles, from the Health Insurance teleservice. This certificate will be part of the authorised proof for travelling within the European Union as of 1 July.


09/06: The United States on Tuesday took the first measured steps towards a return to international travel, easing its warning to people wishing to travel to several countries, including France, and announcing the creation of working groups with key partners to prepare for this resumption.
09/06: Vaccinated people can now travel outside the EU directly from France without compelling reasons. Non-vaccinated tourists can only leave Europe from a country other than France. See the rules for entering / leaving France
09/06 : Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin : End of the compelling reason. PCR test less than 72 hours old, even for vaccinated persons. Self-isolation of 7 days for non-vaccinated persons.
09/06 : Reunion and Mayotte : End of the urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test of less than 72 hours.
09/06: French Polynesia: End of urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test less than 72 hours old.
09/06: French Guiana, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna: Compelling reason maintained
09/06: Canada may begin to gradually open its border with the United States to vaccinated people from 22 June.

▫️   SATIRE

▫️  THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul

It’s that day again.  Enjoy the gags. 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Don’t let them take your temperature on your forehead as you enter the supermarket 
because it erases your memory. 
I went for macaroni and cheese and came home with two cases of beer. 
 
 
Today I saw a dwarf climbing down a prison wall. I thought to myself 
That’s a little condescending 
 
 
People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full 
are missing the point. The glass is refillable. 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Over drinks one afternoon a buddy of mine and I were discussing former “loves”. I told him that I once broke-up with a girl long ago because she had a seemingly incurable speech impediment.  
George said, “Jimmy, I’m shocked. I never know you to be one to be prejudiced against handicaps. What was the girl’s problem?” 
 
Taking a sip, I paused and reflected. “She couldn’t say ‘yes’.”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Sister Mary Ann, who worked for a home health agency, was out 
making her rounds visiting home-bound patients when she ran 
out of gas. 
 
As luck would have it, a Texaco Gasoline station was just a block away. 
 
She walked to the station to borrow a gas can and buy some gas. The 
attendant told her that the only gas can he owned had been loaned 
out, but she could wait until it was returned. Since Sister Mary Ann was 
on the way to see a patient, she decided not to wait and walked back 
to her car. 
 
She looked for something in her car that she could fill with gas and 
spotted the bedpan she was taking to the patient. Always resourceful, 
Sister Mary Ann carried the bedpan to the station, filled it with 
gasoline, and carried the full bedpan back to her car. 
 
As she was pouring the gas into her tank, two Baptists watched from 
across the street. 
 
One of them turned to the other and said, ‘If it starts, I’m turning Catholic.’!!

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

A man walks into a dentist’s surgery and says, 
”Excuse me, can you help me. I think I’m a moth.” 
Dentist: “You don’t need a dentist. 
You need a psychiatrist.” 
Man: “Yes, I know.” 
Dentist: “So why did you come in here?” 
Man: “The light was on…”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Half an hour before the start of the morning, an employee calls his supervisor to say he won’t be coming in today. 
Employee: “I’m having a vision problem.” 
Supervisor: “Sounds bad. What’s wrong?” 
Employee: “I just can’t see myself at work today.”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

As a sergeant in a parachute regiment I took part in several night time exercises.  Once, I was seated next to a Lieutenant fresh from Jump School. He was quiet, sad, looked a bit pale so I struck up a conversation. “Scared, Lieutenant?” I asked. 
He replied, “No, just a bit apprehensive.” 
I asked, “What’s the difference??” 
He replied, “That means I’m scared with a university education.” 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Christmas was fast approaching when my good friend Dawn reminded her eight-year-old son Ken that he would soon be visiting with Santa Claus. 
 
He seemed unusually resistant to the idea. “You do believe in Santa, don’t you?” She finally asked her son. 
 


He thought hard, then said, “Yes, but I think this is the last year.”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

One day an Irishman, who has been stranded on a desert island for over ten years, sees an unusual speck on the horizon. That’s certainly not a ship, “he thinks to himself.  

As the speck gets closer and closer, he begins to rule out the possibilities of a small boat, then even a raft. Suddenly, emerging from the surf comes a drop dead gorgeous blonde woman wearing a wet suit and scuba gear. 
 
She approaches the stunned man and says to him,  

“Tell me how long has it been since you’ve had a cigarette?” 
”Ten years, “replies the Irishman. With that, she reaches over and unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes. He takes one, lights it,  Takes a long drag and says, “Faith and begorah! Is that good!” 
 
”And how long has it been since you’ve had a sip of whiskey?” She asks him.  Trembling, the castaway replies, “Ten years.” She reaches over, unzips her right sleeve,  pulls out a flask and hands it to him.  He opens the flask, takes a long swig and says, “Tis absolutely fantastic!” 
 
At this point she starts slowly unzipping the long zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit, looks at the man and asks, “And how long has it been since you’ve played around?” 
With tears in his eyes, the man falls to his knees and sobs, 
” Sweet mother of Jesus! Don’t tell me you’ve got golf clubs in there too?”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

A college dean was berating a veteran economics professor for having used the same tests for the past 35 years. 
 
”Don’t you realise, professor, that the students have been sharing these tests for decades  

and that all of your students know EXACTLY what’s on the test before they sit for it?” 
 
”Doesn’t matter,” replied the professor. “You must realise that with a subject like economics  the answers are different each year!”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

The neighbour dropped in on a friend and found her sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly  

at a half-empty cup of coffee; her three kids squabbling loudly in the other room. 
 
”What’s wrong, Marge?” she asked. 
 
Marge told her that she had “morning sickness”. 
 
Surprised the neighbour said, “I didn’t even know you were pregnant.” 
 
”I’m not,” the harried woman replied. “I’m just damn sick of mornings.”

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

• Q: How does a physicist exercise?  A: By pumping ion!   

• Q: Why does someone who runs marathons make a good student?  A: Because education pays off in the long run!

• Q: What’s the biggest moth in the world?  A: A Mammoth!

• Q: Why did cavemen draw pictures of hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses on their walls?  A: Because they couldn’t spell their names!

• Q: What’s the problem with lawyer jokes?  A: Lawyer’s don’t think they’re funny, and no one else thinks they’re jokes. 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

My wife and I were out to dinner and the waitress started flirting with me. “She obviously has COVID,” my wife said. “Why?” I asked. 

My wife replied with a sneer, “Because she has no taste.” 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Considerate. 

*An old silly one…but a grin inducer nevertheless* 
 
Mr. Fienstein called the FM radio station and said “I’ve found a wallet with $400, a credit card and an ID card belonging to Mr. Smith, No.13, Halls Rd, Jackson, TN.” 
To which the radio jockey says ” Oh how honest. So you want his wallet returned back to him?” 
 
Mr. Fieinstein says “No……. I just wanted you to play a sad song for him”. 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

Oz male humour 

Do you ever wonder who loves you? Your wife? Your dog? You think they love you, but how do you know if they really do? 

How can you be sure? There is a way to find out and have peace of mind and it only takes one hour. 

Simply open the boot of your car, put your dog and your wife in there, close the boot, grab a couple of beers and watch the footy on the telly for

 an hour or so. Then go back to the car, and open the boot. Now, who is happy to see you? 

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

A few short ones to round out the week…. 

• How many pedantic grammar police does it take to change a lightbulb? Too!  

• Why did the chicken hold a séance? To get to the other side.  

• Viagra. It won’t make you James Bond, but it might make you Roger Moore!  

• Me: Is it weird to talk to yourself? Me: No!  

• Just back from the fishmongers and the guy in front of me bought ALL the crabs, mussels and lobsters. 

Shellfish bastard!  

• I sleep much better naked. Why can’t flight attendants understand that?  

•  Never in the history of calming down, has anyone ever calmed down, by being told to Calm Down!  

• If you were a child when “Red, Red Wine” was released …. UB40ish now!    

• Turns out, when people ask you who your favourite child is, you’re supposed to pick one of your own! Oops!  

• You can tell an Alligator from a Crocodile based on whether it sees you again later or in a while!  

• Is Atheism a non-prophet organisation?  

• Did you know Muffins spelled backwards is what you do when you take them out of the oven?  

• I wonder if the person who invented the phrase “Jumping on the bandwagon” got really annoyed when everyone started using it?  

• Sure, skydiving is scary but … have you ever been to someone’s house and the toilet won’t flush?  

• Apparently, it’s rude to poke someone in the forehead and say “Skip Intro” when they start talking to you!  

• We all know where the Big Apple is, but does anyone know where the Minneapolis?  

• My wife asked me why I spoke so quietly in the house. I said I was afraid Mark Zuckerberg was listening! She laughed. I laughed. Alexa laughed. Siri laughed …..  

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

See you again, hopefully on a sunny day.

▫️ WEATHER

Taking a renewed interested in the wind and wave conditions in the coming days thanks to windy.com

▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸

▫️ ADDITIONAL READ FOR TODAY

✏︎ Clues to how birds migrate using Earth’s magnetic field 

✏︎ The very venomous caterpillar

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Daily Post – June 24th

Posted on June 24, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

460 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ NEWS

While the epidemic continues to decline in France, there is still a risk of a fourth wave emerging during or after the summer. The Delta strain is more contagious than the Alpha variant.
Previously referred to as the Indian variant, it is considered more contagious than the Alpha variant detected in the United Kingdom, and has already become predominant in certain regions of the world. This is particularly true in the Portuguese capital and its suburbs, where it accounts for more than 60% of new cases detected, the National Health Institute (Insa) said on Sunday. But also in England, where the lifting of the latest restrictions has been postponed for four weeks, until 19 July, in the face of a rise in infections caused by the Delta variant.

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS – From France’s point of view. (🔸 =New)

🔸 23/06: Russia, Namibia and Seychelles have been added to the red list 🔴 of countries for which a compelling reason is required to travel from France, even for vaccinated people.
🔸23/06: By plane or by boat, travellers who wanted to travel between Guadeloupe and Martinique will no longer be isolated on arrival.
🔸23/06: Australia begins to reopen its borders to vaccinated students.


🔸 22/06: The islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan in Thailand could reopen to vaccinated people as early as July 15, shortly after Phuket opens on July 1.
🔸 22/06: Travellers, even unvaccinated, can now enter Montenegro without a test.
🔸 22/06: People who have been vaccinated or who have already had covid are now exempt from PCR testing to enter Italy.
🔸 22/06: Hong Kong to reduce quarantine time to 7 days for vaccinated people.
🔸 22/06: As of July 5, fully vaccinated travellers who are allowed to enter Canada will no longer be required to quarantine or test on the 8th day after arrival. In addition, fully vaccinated air travellers will not be required to stay in a government-approved hotel. However, tourists are still not allowed in until at least 21 July.


🔸 21/06: Estonia no longer imposes a quarantine on travellers from France.
🔸 21/06: The land border between Guinea and Senegal will be reopened very soon.
🔸 21/06: Niger has reopened its land borders.
🔸 21/06: Tunisia announces a general lockdown in four regions.
🔸 21/06: Norway to reopen its borders on 24 June.
🔸 21/06: The Czech Republic has reopened its borders.
🔸 21/06: Finland has reopened its borders to people who have been vaccinated or who have already had the covid.
🔸 21/06: Canada extends the closure of the land border with the United States until at least July 21.


19/06: Following Germany’s classification of Namibia as a country with a variant of concern, as of midnight Saturday 19, French nationals not resident in Germany are no longer allowed to board a flight to Europe via Germany.


18/06: In contrast to the easing of health restrictions in several European countries, Portugal has decided to ban entry to and exit from the Lisbon area over the weekend.
18/06: France is now placed in a green zone by Romania. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine and no longer need to present a PCR test on arrival in Romania.
18/06: Germany has removed France from its list of travel risk areas. There is therefore no longer a quarantine.

17/06: Indonesia may start to reopen its borders in July, but it is not clear how.
17/06: The UK is considering re-allowing vaccinated Britons to travel. It is not yet known whether vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter the kingdom without quarantine.
17/06: Ireland to reopen its borders without quarantine on 19 July.
17/06: Latvia has reopened its borders.
17/06: Hungary will reopen its borders on 24 June.
17/06: The list of green, orange and red countries for entry to and exit from France has been updated:

▸ Canada, USA move to green list (but these countries do not yet allow travellers from Europe)

▸ Turkey moves to orange list

▸ Afghanistan, Maldives and Paraguay move to red list


17/06: Unvaccinated people without compelling reasons can now travel to French Polynesia if they have been in the US for at least 15 days (previously 1 month) even if they are not American.


16/06: Thailand gives itself 120 days to fully reopen its borders. Source
16/06: Malawi closes land and sea borders. Source : Email from Malawi Tourism Council

15/06: Morocco has reopened its air and sea borders.
15/06: The launch of the health pass in the European Union is scheduled for 1 July, but Member States retain the possibility of reintroducing certain travel restrictions, particularly in the case of variants. States agreed to harmonise the validity periods of PCR tests (no more than 72 hours before arrival at destination) and antigenic tests (no more than 48 hours). They also agreed that travelling children under 12 years of age should be exempt from testing and that minors travelling with their parents or an accompanying adult should not be required to undergo quarantine if the accompanying adult is not subject to it. However, the implementation of these decisions is not binding.


14/06: Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Kyrgyzstan from 19 June.
14/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.


12/06: The first phase of the reopening of the borders of Mauritius will start on 15 July, provided you are vaccinated and test negative. A 14-day quarantine will be imposed. Unrestricted travel to Mauritius will not be possible until 1 October.


11/06: France is now placed by the Romanian authorities in the “yellow zone”, with reduced entry conditions. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine.
11/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Honduras.


10/06: As of 21 June, it will be possible to download a certificate of vaccination, certified in accordance with European standards, with English subtitles, from the Health Insurance teleservice. This certificate will be part of the authorised proof for travelling within the European Union as of 1 July.


09/06: The United States on Tuesday took the first measured steps towards a return to international travel, easing its warning to people wishing to travel to several countries, including France, and announcing the creation of working groups with key partners to prepare for this resumption.
09/06: Vaccinated people can now travel outside the EU directly from France without compelling reasons. Non-vaccinated tourists can only leave Europe from a country other than France. See the rules for entering / leaving France
09/06 : Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin : End of the compelling reason. PCR test less than 72 hours old, even for vaccinated persons. Self-isolation of 7 days for non-vaccinated persons.
09/06 : Reunion and Mayotte : End of the urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test of less than 72 hours.
09/06: French Polynesia: End of urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test less than 72 hours old.
09/06: French Guiana, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna: Compelling reason maintained
09/06: Canada may begin to gradually open its border with the United States to vaccinated people from 22 June.

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Pleasant day yesterday

Posted on June 20, 2021 by JJS

Drove yesterday together with my brother and our souses to the seaside and more precisely to the Canet en Roussillon town and “ô pieds nus” beach for a bit of lunch and meet up with my friend Philippe.

I certainly was not disappointed by the sea spider they served me.

I have to admit I quite like that beach

Certainly not the last time I go there this summer

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Has voted / A voté

Posted on June 20, 2021 by JJS

Did my duty this morning and went to cast my votes . To be honest I still am not quite sure what the vote is all about. I found it very difficult to try to establish what the “Departement Council” and the “Regional Council” are actually responsible for.

Posted in Administration | Tagged | Leave a comment

Weekly Post – June 19th

Posted on June 19, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

455 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE .

▫️ UPDATE

First identified in India, the Delta variant, which is more contagious than other variants, is becoming the global majority, according to the World Health Organisation’s chief scientist.


The situation continues to improve in France. In intensive care units, the number of Covid patients is at its lowest since October. The mask is no longer compulsory outdoors since Thursday. To increase collective immunity and fight against the Delta variant, vaccination of adolescents is now possible, with the agreement of both parents.


The Covid pandemic has killed more than 3.8 million people worldwide since the end of December 2019. After the United States (600,653 deaths), the countries with the highest number of deaths remain Brazil (496,000) and India (383,404).

✏️ ✏️ ✏️

▫️ VARIANTS

The Delta variant of the coronavirus, initially detected in India and responsible in particular for a rebound of contaminations in the United Kingdom, remains a very “minority” in France, but is “increasing” in the surveillance data, Santé publique France announced on Friday 18 June in its weekly update.
According to Santé publique France (SPF), the Alpha variant (known as British) confirms, for the moment, its “predominance”, with 86.3% of the 1,723 samples sequenced during the “flash survey”, against 5.6% for the Beta variant (known as South African), 1.1% for the Gamma variant (known as Brazilian) and 1% for the Delta variant. Preliminary results of the flash survey, published last Friday, indicated 88% Alpha variant and 0.5% Delta variant.

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS

18/06: In contrast to the easing of health restrictions in several European countries, Portugal has decided to ban entry to and exit from the Lisbon area over the weekend.
18/06: France is now placed in a green zone by Romania. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine and no longer need to present a PCR test on arrival in Romania.
18/06: Germany has removed France from its list of travel risk areas. There is therefore no more quarantine.
18/06: Finland will open its borders to vaccinated people on 21 June.

▫️ TOUR DE FRANCE

There are reminders everywhere in town that the Tour de France is coming again.

220 KM STAGE NÎMES > CARCASSONNE ON FRIDAY 9 JULY


184 KM STAGE CARCASSONNE > QUILLAN ON SATURDAY 10 JULY

▫️ MUSIC OF 1974

Back into Camel at the moment

🎶 / 🎶 / 🎶

▫️ FOOD & DRINKS

Britain’s Top 10 Favorite Foods and Drinks

(quite different from us French)

▫️ SATIRE

▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸

▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul

▫️ FUN

▫️ WEATHER

It looks like we might just escape the thunder storms which have been raging in the the South West of France for the past couple of days. Fingers crossed.

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Daily Post – June 18th

Posted on June 18, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

454 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS by train

SNCF: a new tariff offer from 17 June

To help you get around, and to make its discount offers easier to understand, the SNCF is introducing a single Avantage card and an annual teleworking package. From 17 June 2021, the new single Avantage card will replace the Avantage famille, Avantage week-end, Avantage senior and Avantage Jeune cards. Capped prices, reduced exchange and reimbursement, specific offer for seniors, loyalty programme… What are the conditions for taking advantage of these offers? Find out in detail from Service-Public.fr.

Who is concerned? The new Avantage card concerns the following customer profiles

□ young people: 12-27 years old;
□ adults: 27-59 years old;
□ seniors: over 60 years old.


Please note: The price of the card is still €49. In addition to the guaranteed 30% discount on trains, the new Avantage card allows you to benefit from capped prices in 2nd class on all destinations in France, regardless of the day and time of booking.

What are the capped prices? The Avantage card allows you to take advantage of accessible prices, even at the last minute, i.e:

□ 39 € for short journeys (under 1h30) ;
□ 59 € for intermediate journeys (between 1h30 and 3h);
□ 79 € for the longest journeys (more than 3 hours);
□ Children aged 4 to 11 (up to 3 children) accompanying the holder of a ticket benefit from a 60% reduction, i.e:19 € for short journeys (under 1h30) ;
29 € for intermediate journeys (between 1h30 and 3h);
39 € for the longest journeys (more than 3 hours);


If you have the current cards (Avantage famille, Avantage week-end, Avantage senior and Avantage Jeune), you will automatically benefit from the capped prices for all TGV INOUI and Intercités journeys.

From 17 June 2021, you can exchange tickets and obtain a free refund up to and including 3 days before departure for Loisirs fares (2nd and 1st class fares, including Prem’s and Avantage card fares).

From 2 days before departure, charges will apply: €15 on TGV INOUI and 40% of the ticket price with a maximum of €12 on Intercités with compulsory reservation.

Good to know: In mid-June, the SNCF will be offering a new price indicator on the website and at the beginning of July on the application. In concrete terms, by clicking on the minimum and maximum price for this journey, you will be able to see the lowest and highest price in 2nd class for TGV INOUI and OUIGO.

A new offer for seniors: From the beginning of 2022, the SNCF will offer an unlimited TGVmax pass for people aged 60 and over. The TGVmax senior offer consists of :

□ a subscription for €79 per month, as for 16-27 year olds;
□ a 100% digital offer, online registration in a few clicks with an account activated within 48 hours.

🚄 🚄 🚄

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS – From France’s point of view. (🔸 =New)

17/06: Indonesia may start to reopen its borders in July, but it is not clear how.
17/06: The UK is considering re-allowing vaccinated Britons to travel. It is not yet known whether vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter the kingdom without quarantine.
17/06: Ireland to reopen its borders without quarantine on 19 July.
17/06: Latvia has reopened its borders.
17/06: Hungary will reopen its borders on 24 June.
17/06: The list of green, orange and red countries for entry to and exit from France has been updated:

▸ Canada, USA move to green list (but these countries do not yet allow travellers from Europe)

▸ Turkey moves to orange list

▸ Afghanistan, Maldives and Paraguay move to red list


17/06: Unvaccinated people without compelling reasons can now travel to French Polynesia if they have been in the US for at least 15 days (previously 1 month) even if they are not American.


16/06: Thailand gives itself 120 days to fully reopen its borders. Source
16/06: Malawi closes land and sea borders. Source : Email from Malawi Tourism Council

15/06: Morocco has reopened its air and sea borders.
15/06: The launch of the health pass in the European Union is scheduled for 1 July, but Member States retain the possibility of reintroducing certain travel restrictions, particularly in the case of variants. States agreed to harmonise the validity periods of PCR tests (no more than 72 hours before arrival at destination) and antigenic tests (no more than 48 hours). They also agreed that travelling children under 12 years of age should be exempt from testing and that minors travelling with their parents or an accompanying adult should not be required to undergo quarantine if the accompanying adult is not subject to it. However, the implementation of these decisions is not binding.


14/06: Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Kyrgyzstan from 19 June.
14/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.


12/06: The first phase of the reopening of the borders of Mauritius will start on 15 July, provided you are vaccinated and test negative. A 14-day quarantine will be imposed. Unrestricted travel to Mauritius will not be possible until 1 October.


11/06: France is now placed by the Romanian authorities in the “yellow zone”, with reduced entry conditions. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine.
11/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Honduras.


10/06: As of 21 June, it will be possible to download a certificate of vaccination, certified in accordance with European standards, with English subtitles, from the Health Insurance teleservice. This certificate will be part of the authorised proof for travelling within the European Union as of 1 July.


09/06: The United States on Tuesday took the first measured steps towards a return to international travel, easing its warning to people wishing to travel to several countries, including France, and announcing the creation of working groups with key partners to prepare for this resumption.
09/06: Vaccinated people can now travel outside the EU directly from France without compelling reasons. Non-vaccinated tourists can only leave Europe from a country other than France. See the rules for entering / leaving France
09/06 : Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin : End of the compelling reason. PCR test less than 72 hours old, even for vaccinated persons. Self-isolation of 7 days for non-vaccinated persons.
09/06 : Reunion and Mayotte : End of the urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test of less than 72 hours.
09/06: French Polynesia: End of urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test less than 72 hours old.
09/06: French Guiana, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna: Compelling reason maintained
09/06: Canada may begin to gradually open its border with the United States to vaccinated people from 22 June.

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Daily Post – June 17th

Posted on June 17, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

453 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ NEWS

The wearing of masks outdoors is no longer compulsory from this Thursday 17 June 2021, as announced by Jean Castex on Wednesday at the end of the health defence council.

The Prime Minister justified this decision, in addition to the total lifting of the curfew from Sunday 20 June, by a “positive evolution” of the health situation in France.

This decision follows an opinion received by the government on Tuesday from the High Council for Public Health on the wearing of masks outdoors. The prefectural decrees governing the wearing of masks outdoors must therefore be modified as of Thursday.

But beware, it will still be necessary to wear it in certain circumstances. “When we gather, when we are in a crowded place, a queue, on a market or in the stands of a stadium,” said the head of government.

In addition, Matignon told franceinfo in the evening that the mask would no longer be compulsory in the playground for children over 6 years, after an opinion of the High Authority of Health. Contacted for more details by actu.fr, the government has not yet responded to our requests.

Of course, wearing a mask remains mandatory in enclosed spaces, “particularly at work, in shops, in transport and in any place where people gather”, said Jean Castex.

What if I don’t wear a mask where it is mandatory?
As a reminder, failure to wear a mask in a place where it is compulsory is punishable by a fine of €135, increased to €375 if not paid within 45 days.

At the request of the President of the Republic, surveillance has been reinforced concerning the arrival and spread of the Delta variant, which is particularly virulent in certain departments such as the Landes.

Summary in French but easy to understand

▫️ INCIDENCE RATE

The Rate in the Aude departement is at the lowest since a long time.

It now stands at 21,46

▫️ LOCAL NEWS from David and Mike

Perhaps you already know Jean-Francois Vassal and Valérie Michel. Their company is ILC – Centre d’Histoire Vivante Médiévale https://ilc-lacite.fr . Jean-François — or Jef — gives tours and makes presentations about life and culture in La Cité and the region in the medieval era. They host medieval reenactments as well. However, they have decided to relocate from La Cité to Le Puy en Velay; they will give tours and host conferences up there starting next month. They are in the final stage of moving their home and business from Carcassonne. Which means that they have some books and home items that they’d like to get rid of (sell for a low price) before they leave. Books priced from 2 – 5€; miscellaneous home items (decorative, porcelain, etc.) at similarly low prices.
They, and we, will be at their storefront on Wednesday 23 June (9-12h, 14-17h). If anyone would like to stop by, say Hi, and see if there are some books or things that interest them, that would be great. Not a bad excuse to re-visit La Cité now that there is some activity, but not yet too many tourists.
Thank you! And we hope you’re enjoying the summer weather at last!

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS – From France’s point of view. (🔸 =New)

🔸 17/06: Indonesia may start to reopen its borders in July, but it is not clear how.
🔸 17/06: The UK is considering re-allowing vaccinated Britons to travel. It is not yet known whether vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter the kingdom without quarantine.
🔸 17/06: Ireland to reopen its borders without quarantine on 19 July.
🔸 17/06: Latvia has reopened its borders.
🔸 17/06: Hungary will reopen its borders on 24 June.
🔸 17/06: The list of green, orange and red countries for entry to and exit from France has been updated:

▸ Canada, USA move to green list (but these countries do not yet allow travellers from Europe)

▸ Turkey moves to orange list

▸ Afghanistan, Maldives and Paraguay move to red list

🔸 17/06: Unvaccinated people without compelling reasons can now travel to French Polynesia if they have been in the US for at least 15 days (previously 1 month) even if they are not American.


16/06: Thailand gives itself 120 days to fully reopen its borders. Source
16/06: Malawi closes land and sea borders. Source : Email from Malawi Tourism Council

15/06: Morocco has reopened its air and sea borders.
15/06: The launch of the health pass in the European Union is scheduled for 1 July, but Member States retain the possibility of reintroducing certain travel restrictions, particularly in the case of variants. States agreed to harmonise the validity periods of PCR tests (no more than 72 hours before arrival at destination) and antigenic tests (no more than 48 hours). They also agreed that travelling children under 12 years of age should be exempt from testing and that minors travelling with their parents or an accompanying adult should not be required to undergo quarantine if the accompanying adult is not subject to it. However, the implementation of these decisions is not binding.


14/06: Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Kyrgyzstan from 19 June.
14/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.


12/06: The first phase of the reopening of the borders of Mauritius will start on 15 July, provided you are vaccinated and test negative. A 14-day quarantine will be imposed. Unrestricted travel to Mauritius will not be possible until 1 October.


11/06: France is now placed by the Romanian authorities in the “yellow zone”, with reduced entry conditions. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine.
11/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Honduras.


10/06: As of 21 June, it will be possible to download a certificate of vaccination, certified in accordance with European standards, with English subtitles, from the Health Insurance teleservice. This certificate will be part of the authorised proof for travelling within the European Union as of 1 July.


09/06: The United States on Tuesday took the first measured steps towards a return to international travel, easing its warning to people wishing to travel to several countries, including France, and announcing the creation of working groups with key partners to prepare for this resumption.
09/06: Vaccinated people can now travel outside the EU directly from France without compelling reasons. Non-vaccinated tourists can only leave Europe from a country other than France. See the rules for entering / leaving France
09/06 : Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin : End of the compelling reason. PCR test less than 72 hours old, even for vaccinated persons. Self-isolation of 7 days for non-vaccinated persons.
09/06 : Reunion and Mayotte : End of the urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test of less than 72 hours.
09/06: French Polynesia: End of urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test less than 72 hours old.
09/06: French Guiana, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna: Compelling reason maintained
09/06: Canada may begin to gradually open its border with the United States to vaccinated people from 22 June.

▫️ SATIRE

▫️ ROCK NOSTALGIA

▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸

▫️ WEATHER

Just received this warning a few minutes ago at 18:30

Be careful in Carcassonne

Strong storm approaching your area. Risk of violent gusts of wind, hail, run-off. We invite you to limit your movements, to secure your property likely to be damaged and to follow the instructions of the authorities.

▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul (6 days late or 1 day early)

▫️ ADDITIONAL READS FOR THE DAY

🔸 55 weird objects seen on Mars, explained 

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Daily Post – June 15th

Posted on June 15, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

451 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ NEWS

Despite a decrease in hospital pressure, Covid-19 still kills in our departments.

In Aude, this Monday evening, 50 people are hospitalised (-1 in 24 hours): 5 in intensive care (-1), 25 in conventional hospitalisation (-), 19 in follow-up or long-term care (-) and 1 in another structure.
367 people died from Covid in the department, one more in 24 hours.

In the Pyrénées-Orientales, 66 people were hospitalised (-3 in 24 hours): 7 in intensive care (-), 23 in conventional hospitalisation (-2), 34 in follow-up care or long-term care (-1) and 2 in other facilities.
In 24 hours, two people died of Covid in the department, bringing the number of hospital deaths to 328 since the beginning of the epidemic.

In the Occitanie region, 652 people were hospitalised on Monday (-9 in 24 hours): 104 in intensive care (-3), 261 in conventional hospitalisation (-4), 277 in follow-up or long-term care (-2), 10 in other structures (-).
In total, 4,560 people died from Covid in Occitania, i.e. 5 more in 24 hours.

▫️ QR Codes

To access the breakfast buffet at the hotel in Bordeaux on Saturday morning I had to scan a QR code using the “Tous AntiCovid” app. It was the 1st time I had to do this. Let me rephrase this, it was the first time in France I had to do this… During our last trip to Germany to see family and friends last Septembre, it was already a common practise. I keep hearing people complaining about this, my freedom they say. Most of these people complaining, do it on Facebook, Twitter and such (which I have to add I no longer use). I’ll let you judge the validity of their objections…

▫️ INCIDENCE RATE

The Rate in the Aude departement is at the lowest since a long time.

It now stands at 23,88

▫️ TRAVEL NEWS – From France’s point of view.

15/06: Morocco has reopened its air and sea borders.
15/06: The launch of the health pass in the European Union is scheduled for 1 July, but Member States retain the possibility of reintroducing certain travel restrictions, particularly in the case of variants. States agreed to harmonise the validity periods of PCR tests (no more than 72 hours before arrival at destination) and antigenic tests (no more than 48 hours). They also agreed that travelling children under 12 years of age should be exempt from testing and that minors travelling with their parents or an accompanying adult should not be required to undergo quarantine if the accompanying adult is not subject to it. However, the implementation of these decisions is not binding.


14/06: Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Kyrgyzstan from 19 June.
14/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.


12/06: The first phase of the reopening of the borders of Mauritius will start on 15 July, provided you are vaccinated and test negative. A 14-day quarantine will be imposed. Unrestricted travel to Mauritius will not be possible until 1 October.


11/06: France is now placed by the Romanian authorities in the “yellow zone”, with reduced entry conditions. Travellers arriving from France are exempt from quarantine.
11/06: Vaccinated people no longer need to be tested to enter Honduras.


10/06: As of 21 June, it will be possible to download a certificate of vaccination, certified in accordance with European standards, with English subtitles, from the Health Insurance teleservice. This certificate will be part of the authorised proof for travelling within the European Union as of 1 July.


09/06: The United States on Tuesday took the first measured steps towards a return to international travel, easing its warning to people wishing to travel to several countries, including France, and announcing the creation of working groups with key partners to prepare for this resumption.
09/06: Vaccinated people can now travel outside the EU directly from France without compelling reasons. Non-vaccinated tourists can only leave Europe from a country other than France. See the rules for entering / leaving France
09/06 : Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin : End of the compelling reason. PCR test less than 72 hours old, even for vaccinated persons. Self-isolation of 7 days for non-vaccinated persons.
09/06 : Reunion and Mayotte : End of the urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test of less than 72 hours.
09/06: French Polynesia: End of urgent reason only for vaccinated persons. PCR test less than 72 hours old.
09/06: French Guiana, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna: Compelling reason maintained
09/06: Canada may begin to gradually open its border with the United States to vaccinated people from 22 June.

▫️ SATIRE

▫️ FUN NOSTALGIA

▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸

▫️ WEATHER

Feels like 41ºC

▫️ ADDITIONAL READS FOR THE DAY

🔸  Mr. Trash Wheel is gobbling up millions of pounds of trash 

🔸 Why are women more prone to long Covid?

🔸 The rush to ‘go electric’ comes with a hidden cost: destructive lithium mining

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Weekly Post – June 6th 2021

Posted on June 6, 2021 by JJS

Living through a pandemic

in the south of France

442 days in Carcassonne since

1st lockdown in March 2020

DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE

▫️ INFORMATION

The next stage of the deconfinement schedule starts on Wednesday June 9th. Curfew, teleworking, travel… What exactly is changing?

□ The curfew shifted
From 9 June, the French will be able to enjoy the terraces of bars and restaurants for two extra hours. From Wednesday, the curfew is again shifted, from 9pm currently to 11pm. To go out in the evening, without any time restrictions, you will have to wait. The curfew will be officially lifted on Wednesday 30 June.

□ Access to the country facilitated
France will ease the rules for access to its territory. From 9 June, all vaccinated Europeans (2 doses) will be able to enter the country on presentation of a paper vaccination certificate or a Health Pass validated by the European Union. Until 9 June, people over 11 years old will still have to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old to cross the border and return to French territory.

□ Teleworking made more flexible
The government has also decided to make the use of teleworking more flexible. Currently, the rule in companies is to systematically use telework for all activities that allow it. “From 9 June, companies will have to determine, following discussions between management and employee representatives, a minimum number of teleworking days for each employee,” explains the government website.

A minimum of three days of telework per week will be granted to civil servants, the government says. The quota will gradually decrease. “This development will enable all employees who suffer from isolation to return to their place of work”, the government concludes.

□ Reopening of indoor cafés and restaurants
Cafés and restaurants will once again be able to welcome customers indoors, but with a capacity of 50% for the time being and for tables of no more than 6 people.

For terraces, the restrictions have been eased. 100% capacity will now be allowed, with tables for a maximum of 6 people outside too.

□ Reopening of sports halls
On 9 June, indoor sports facilities (sports halls, indoor swimming pools, gymnasiums, etc.) will also reopen, with an adapted sanitary protocol. A 50% capacity will have to be respected and contact sports will only be allowed outdoors. A distance of 2 metres between each athlete must be observed.

□ 5000 people for cultural and sporting events
Another opening impatiently awaited by the French is that of cultural venues and stadiums, which will be able to accommodate 5,000 people from Wednesday onwards on presentation of the Health Pass. Open-air festivals will also be authorised, with a capacity of 5,000 people, again with a Health Pass.

□ Weddings, funerals, museums, markets…
Distance rules will be reduced to 4 square metres in museums, indoor markets and shops. In places of worship or for ceremonies such as weddings, 1 out of 2 spaces can be occupied. The same protocol applies to libraries. Burials are limited to 75 people from Wednesday 9 June. Finally, thermal baths are once again fully authorised without any capacity restriction.

Gatherings of more than 10 people in the public space remain prohibited (except for guided tours).

▫️ INCIDENCE RATES

They are still dropping slowly. Currently 84,38 at the National level and 57,42 in the Aude departement.

▫️ TRAVEL

🔸 04/06: Non-vaccinated people can travel to Iceland again, provided they respect a 5-day quarantine.
🔸 04/06: Direct flights from Europe have resumed to Bolivia.
🔸 04/06 : Occitania and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur have been removed from the risk zones by Switzerland. It is therefore no longer compulsory to carry out a quarantine from these regions.
🔸 04/06: Colombia no longer requires PCR testing.


🔸 03/06: Bahrain now requires a 10-day quarantine, except for vaccinated persons.
🔸 03/06: International flights begin to resume to Nepal.
🔸 03/06: Armenia no longer requires PCR testing for those who have been vaccinated or have had covid.
🔸 03/06: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) have been removed from the list of countries from which a 10-day quarantine is imposed. Bolivia and Suriname have been added to the list.
🔸 03/06: Turkey no longer requires PCR testing for people who have been vaccinated or have had covid.


🔸 01/06: Sri Lanka has reopened its international airport, but a mandatory 10-day quarantine with police checks is imposed on the return to France from this country.
🔸 01/06: Air services to and from Eritrea from Dubai, Istanbul and Khartoum have resumed with one rotation per week per airline. The principle of a rotation to and from Addis Ababa is under discussion. However, entry to Eritrea remains closed to tourists. At this stage, the only travellers authorised to enter the country are dual nationals and foreigners on business trips.
🔸 01/06: Tunisia has abolished quarantine and PCR testing requirements for vaccinated individuals.
🔸 01/06: Georgia has reopened its land borders.
🔸 01/06: Algeria has reopened its air borders, but with very strict conditions: six weekly flights to five cities: Paris, Marseille, Barcelona, Tunis and Istanbul, PCR test less than 36 hours, 5-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel, PCR test at the end of containment, 5 additional days quarantine in case of a positive test


🔸 31/05: Travel outside Europe: the list of green countries is expected this week. Reciprocity is not a prerequisite for opening France to Americans. It is therefore not yet known whether the French will be able to cross the Atlantic this summer.
🔸 31/05: Vaccinated people are now exempt from testing and quarantine in Switzerland, where restaurant halls have reopened.
🔸 31/05: Saudi Arabia has reopened its borders, but imposes a 7-day quarantine in a government-approved accommodation facility for non-vaccinated people.

28/05: France is no longer on Ireland‘s red list. Passengers coming from France no longer need to quarantine in a hotel. They can do it in a place of their choice and come out of quarantine after 5 days if they pass a negative PCR test.
28/05: Compelling reasons are no longer required to travel to Norway. However, it is still mandatory to spend at least 7 days in a quarantine hotel.

27/05: Flights to Sri Lanka will resume on 1 June with a limit of 75 passengers per flight and 14 days quarantine for all passengers, vaccinated or not. 
27/05: Tunisia to abolish quarantine and PCR testing for vaccinated people on 1 June. 


26/05: France imposes mandatory isolation for arrivals from the UK. 
26/05: From 31 May, vaccinated people will be exempt from quarantine in Switzerland.
26/05: Spain will accept vaccinated tourists from 7 June, without requiring a test.
26/05: Georgia to open its land borders on 1 June.
26/05: Cambodia‘s tourism ministry suggests that the country is preparing to welcome tourists again in the fourth quarter of 2021.
26/05: Mauritius extends the closure of its borders until at least 30 June.


25/05: Mongolia will reopen its borders to vaccinated people on 1 July. 
25/05: New Aquitaine and Brittany are no longer considered at risk by Switzerland. People coming from these regions are no longer subject to quarantine or PCR testing. 
25/05: Algeria will reopen its borders on June 1st, but with very strict conditions: 3 flights per week from France, PCR test of less than 36 hours, 5-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel, PCR test at the end of containment, 5 additional days of quarantine in case of positive test. 
25/05: Germany no longer imposes quarantine on people who present a negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from covid. 


21/05: Spain has announced that it will let in all vaccinated people, regardless of their country of origin, from 7 June. It is not yet clear whether this means that vaccinated people will be able to enter without a PCR test.
21/05: US land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until at least 21 June. 
21/05: Panama temporarily closes its land border with Colombia. 
21/05: Belize will reopen its land and sea borders with Guatemala and Mexico on 31 May, but with a requirement to stay in a Golden Standard hotel. 
21/05: France is now considered a risk country by Zambia, which means an additional test on arrival and a 14-day quarantine.
21/05: The Minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, hopes for a gradual resumption of international flights throughout the year: “From mid-June, we will try to reopen international flights, from and to North America, Africa, and some countries in South-East Asia. 

19/05: As of 9 June, you will no longer need a compelling reason to travel to Guadeloupe, Martinique or Reunion.
19/05: Denmark has reopened its borders.
19/05 : Thailand: Phuket confirms it will reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists on 1 July.


18/05 : Austria to lift quarantine requirement on 19 May.


16/05 : Algeria to gradually reopen its borders from early June.
16/05 : Italy has ended its quarantine for European tourists.
16/05: From Monday 17 May, people coming from France will no longer have to undergo quarantine when arriving in Portugal.

14/05: Vaccinated people no longer need a PCR test to enter Greece.
14/05: People who have been vaccinated or have had covid no longer need a PCR test to enter Germany.
14/05: France’s border reopening strategy has been published:

“Within the European Union, travel facilitated by the health pass To travel within the European Union, it is currently not necessary to justify the reason for travel, but prior testing obligations (-72h) are required.

The government is working with the other Member States on a “green pass” to support the resumption of tourism and facilitate border crossings through common standards.

While the test is already an element of proof used, this “green pass” will enable travellers to show that they have been fully vaccinated at border controls.

For travellers entering France from outside the European Union, tourist flows will be reopened from 9 June depending on the health situation in these countries. France will have a policy of controlling entry to its territory that is proportionate to the health situation in each third country, in accordance with a vision shared with the other Member States of the European Union.

  • For countries in which the virus is not actively circulating, and in which no variants of concern have been identified (“green countries”), flows may be resumed under much more flexible arrangements.
  • For countries where the virus is actively circulating but in controlled proportions, and without the spread of variants of concern (“orange countries”), the conditions for entry into France will be more restrictive, particularly for unvaccinated travellers.
  • Finally, a European emergency mechanism will aim to establish a list of “red countries” for which drastic measures will be implemented, in view of the epidemic circulation in these countries, as well as the presence of variants of concern: strict limitation of people authorised to travel, tests on boarding and arrival, strictly controlled isolation and quarantine measures.

Pending European harmonisation of the criteria for classifying “red countries”, and in order to protect the French without delay, France has already put in place these drastic measures for incoming flows from the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (list as of 10 May 2021).

For EU citizens wishing to travel outside the European Union, it is necessary to find out in advance about the entry restrictions and health situation in the destination country.

  • Travel conditions will depend on the entry restrictions applied by each country.
  • It is still not advisable to travel to “orange countries” and it is strongly recommended not to travel to “red countries”.

12/05: Reopening of borders: France expects reciprocity from the United States.
12/05 : The suspension of international flights to and from Nepal is extended at least until 31 May.
12/05: Self-tests are now accepted to enter the United States. However, you still need to have spent at least 14 days outside the Schengen area to enter the country.
11/05: Thailand may fully reopen its borders by 1 January 2022.

10/05: Fully vaccinated persons are now exempt from PCR testing to enter Cyprus.
10/05: Morocco has extended the state of health emergency until 10 June.
10/05: Travellers from 12 countries will be able to travel to England without quarantine from 17 May, but France is not one of them.
10/05: French Polynesia will not open to travellers from mainland France without compelling reasons until July.
10/05: Tunisia has put in place a new general lockdown from 9 to 16 May.
07/05: The quarantine requirement for entry into France has been extended to seven additional countries: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar. For these countries, a PCR test of 36 hours (instead of 72 hours) or a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours accompanied by a negative antigen test of less than 24 hours is now required.
07/05: Australia‘s borders may not fully reopen until mid to late 2022.

▫️ STORK NEWS

A GPS on your back


Last year, 50,000 Internet users logged on every day to follow Espoir, Eliot and Lucky from their hatching to their departure from the nest. What happened to them? We don’t know yet. “That’s why this year, in addition to the rings, we are going to equip four storks with a GPS tag,” adds the ornithologist. A device the size of a matchbox, weighing 30 g, will be attached to their backs, in a sort of small backpack. “It won’t hurt them and won’t bother them. This way we will know where they are migrating to. While the tags are financed by the city, the satellite tracking is financed by a team of German researchers in a partnership. Of the 1,000 storks that Dominique Klein has already ringed, the majority have migrated to Spain. Two wanted to see more countries, reaching Morocco and even Senegal.

▫️ SATIRE

▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸

▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul

G’day FFFs. A topical joke to start….

▫️ MUSIC OF 1969

You cannot pass 1969 without a little bit of James Brown…

▫️ FUN (thank to Lesley)

Apparently, there are loads of cat jokes around…

▫️ WEATHER

Quite pleasant out there and much sunnier than reported.

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B for Beach

Posted on June 4, 2021 by JJS

Made it yesterday to Biquet Plage for the 1st time this year. Not the hot weather one would expect at this time of year. The wind however was the more or less usual strong Easterly Wind coming from the sea.

The food was excellent and apparently the rosé wine too. Being the designated driver, I did not partake.

We finished the day at Port Leucate before returning to cloudy Carcassonne

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