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Shortened duration of isolation, multitests at school, wearing a mask from 6 years old: the Omicron variant disrupts the start of the new school year
Due to the Omicron variant which sharply increases the number of contaminations – more than 219,000 cases of Covid-19 were detected in twenty-four hours, on Saturday – the government has chosen to lighten the rules for isolating people infected people and their relatives to avoid paralysis of the economy. From Monday, January 3, people diagnosed positive with a complete vaccination schedule will have to isolate themselves for seven days, regardless of the variant. This quarantine can be lifted after five days in the event of a negative antigen or PCR test.
In addition, people with contact cases with a complete vaccination schedule will no longer have to observe isolation; however, they must strictly respect barrier gestures and “Do regular tests”, explained the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, in an interview with Sunday Newspaper (JDD).
The students return to the school benches on Monday. The start of the school year will be without major modification of the health protocol in place since the end of November: level 3 (out of 4) is maintained in elementary schools, level 2 in middle and high schools. All classes will be face-to-face. “We will apply to children the same rules as for the entire population: seven days of isolation for positive cases”, detailed the Minister of Health at JDD. Regarding contact case students, “The appeal will be three consecutive tests allowing students to come to school as long as they are negative”, specifies Mr. Véran, this with the assumed objective of avoiding « to massively close classes ”.
Wearing a mask will be compulsory from 6 years old (and no longer 11 years old) in certain public places from Monday. This obligation applies in public transport, boats, planes and vehicles – including taxis and transport cars with driver (VTC) -, as well as in train stations, public transport stations and air terminals. Only the practice of artistic and sporting activities dispenses with the wearing of a mask.
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The world has changed in 2022, which changes at 1is January, public holidays this year
Events severely framed or simply canceled, awakenings often limited to the family circle: once again, the planet has shifted into the new year in the shadow of the pandemic.
With the transition to 2022, the changes are numerous, from the revaluation of the minimum wage and pensions to free contraception for those under 25.
For the year 2022, here is what we have in store for public holidays: seven of the eleven public holidays fall on weekdays; there are three major bridges (Ascension Thursday, National Day and All Saints’ Day); there are four small bridges (Easter Monday, Pentecost Monday, the Assumption and the Armistice); 1is and May 8 fall on a Sunday.
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France takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU
Saturday 1is January, France took the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (PFUE) for six months with an ambitious program, a Europe ” powerful “ and “Sovereign”, which however risks being jostled by the Covid-19 epidemic and the presidential election in April. Paris took over from Slovenia, which had chaired the EU Council since 1is July, and will give way, in the second half of the year, to the Czech Republic. Symbol of this relay, the Eiffel Tower and the Elysée Palace were illuminated at the same time in blue, the color of Europe.
The temporary installation of the European flag under the Arc de Triomphe to greet the start of the PFUE has been widely criticized by the far right and the right.
Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, will be in the front row during the French Presidency. Above all, this left-wing moderate wants to fight hard within the campaign team of his champion.
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Promotion of the Legion of Honor
They are 547 to have received the highest French distinctions this year. The new civilian promotion of the Legion of Honor is published Saturday 1is January to Official newspaper.
This promotion is marked not only by a concern for parity – half of the people rewarded being women – but also by the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the promotion include all the members of the scientific council, which guides the government in the management of the health crisis, as well as Mohamed Abdelatif, vice-president of the French Red Cross.
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South Africa: a violent fire completely destroys the National Assembly in Cape Town
No casualties, but considerable damage. In Cape Town, the enclosure of the National Assembly, where the South African deputies sit, was completely destroyed in a violent fire which has been raging since Sunday morning, announced in the afternoon the spokesman of the Parliament.
The oldest buildings in the Parliament complex were erected in 1884. The National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, is located in what is known as the “New Wing”, while the upper house, the National Council of Provinces. , is in the original wing.
It was in Parliament that the last white South African president, who died in November, Frederik Willem De Klerk, announced in February 1990 the end of the racist apartheid regime.
And also :
South Africa. The ‘rainbow nation’ pays a final tribute to Desmond Tutu
Covid-19. Lionel Messi and three positive PSG players, the pandemic shakes up European football
Sudan. Internet suspended in view of new anti-Putsch protests
The “alcohol-free month”. The operation resumes, still without public aid
Dakar 2022. French driver Philippe Boutron injured in the explosion of his car