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Five departments on orange alert as heavy rain and floods continue in south of France
Conditions are expected to worsen through the afternoon
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‘I saw flames’: Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lyon after technical fault
Flight carrying 173 passengers to Ajaccio diverted to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry on Saturday
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Farmers’ protests ease but key motorway blockades hold firm in south-west France
Pressure on the government over its handling of cattle culls continues as Christmas nears despite a drop in protests
Masks at Christmas to avoid new Covid wave, says WHO
The health body has warned of a possible third wave of the virus in Europe in early 2021
The European branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for masks to be worn during Christmas and New Year gatherings and social distancing measures to be respected. The organisation has warned that there is a “high risk” of a new wave of Covid-19 cases in Europe at the beginning of 2021.
The announcement, made in a press release published today (December 16), comes less than a week before festive celebrations are set to begin around Europe.
Countries around the continent have set different rules regarding festive celebrations.
In France, the government is advising no more than six adults come together to celebrate Christmas.
Lockdown was ended across the country on December 15 and was replaced with a 20:00 to 06:00 curfew. There will be an exception to this on December 24 only.
A recent survey carried out by French insurance company MAAF found that 42% of respondents aged 18 to 24 years old said now that lockdown is over they intend to “let loose” with a small group of friends, while 20% said they intend to have a big party “without limits”.
Read more:
France Covid-19: ‘Extreme caution needed for 3-6 months’
France prepares as EU says Covid vaccine ready within a week
