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HEALTH

Ski resorts in France to remain closed due to ‘steep rise in Covid-19 cases’

France's ski resorts will not be able to reopen on January 7th as initially planned, France's Secretary of State for tourism confirmed on Wednesday.

Published: 7 January 2021 09:08 CET
Ski resorts in France to remain closed due to 'steep rise in Covid-19 cases'
Skiing is allowed in France, but ski lifts remain closed for the moment. Photo: AFP
Prime Minister Jean Castex and Health Minister Olivier Véran will hold a press conference on Thursday at 6pm to review Covid-19 restrictions, and ski resorts were hoping they would get the green light to finally open and being forced to close for the early part of the season.

READ ALSO: What can we expect from the French government's Covid-19 announcement?

But Secretary of State for tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne told AFP that in light of “a rather steep rise in terms of new (Covid-19) cases and intensive care admissions”, the government had decided to push back the date.

France on Wednesday recorded 25,379 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, up from 20,489 the preceding day, and far above the weekly average of around 13,000.

Hospital intensive care wards admitted another 234 patients, a number that has been stable the past few days, but the government fears it will rise following a predicted spike in viral transmissions during the Christmas break.

READ ALSO The graphs and numbers that show the latest Covid-19 situation in France

 

Unlike neighbouring Switzerland, France has kept its ski resorts closed since the end of lockdown in early December.

While the government has allowed travel to the mountains and ski resorts, ski lifts and all other infrastructure had to keep shut, ruling out most winter sports. 

Alpine areas are among the ones the hardest affected by Covid-19, which is one of the reasons that the government worries about relaxing rules on skiing activities.
 

Lemoyne said the ski sector would not get a new reopening date until after a Defence Council meeting next week.
 
“The government is well aware of that the sector needs clarity and we are committed to providing this for the rest of the season as quickly as possible,” Lemoyne said.
 
Across France all bars, cafés and restaurants remain shut as well, along with cinemas, theatres and other cultural establishments. The French government has already confirmed that it intends to postpone the reopening of both these sectors in light of the current health situation.

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ECONOMY

French economy beats growth forecast in first quarter

The French economy grew more than expected in the first quarter, official data showed on Tuesday, delivering good news to a government facing scrutiny over the country's huge debt pile.

Published: 30 April 2024 08:36 CEST
French economy beats growth forecast in first quarter

The eurozone’s second biggest economy expanded by 0.2 percent between January and March compared to the previous quarter, according to the INSEE statistics institute, which had previously forecast zero growth.

“To all those who want us to believe that our economy is at a standstill: facts are stubborn. French growth is progressing,” said Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire.

“This is a new sign showing the solidity of our economy,” he said, adding that the “government’s strategy is paying off.”

France’s budget deficit has overshot government estimates, undermining President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to bring national finances back on track within the next four years.

Ratings agencies have cast doubt on the government’s debt reduction target.

The public deficit widened to 5.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2023. The government aims to reduce it to three percent by 2027.

READ MORE: How France’s bid to tackle ‘wild’ budget deficit could impact you

French debt has grown to 110.6 percent of GDP — the third biggest ratio in the European Union after Greece and Italy.

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