The essential ⤵️
The pandemic has killed at least 2,961,387 people worldwide.
297 new deaths were recorded Wednesday evening, according to Public Health France.
Hospital pressure is still being felt: this Wednesday, Public Health France counted 30,868 Covid patients currently being treated, against 31,226 Tuesday, and 30,904 last Wednesday.
While the barrier of 100,000 dead from the Covid is about to be crossed, the President of the Republic is chairing a meeting on the way out of the crisis this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Elysee Palace.
Emmanuel Macron will gather around him the main ministers concerned by the protocols for the gradual reopening of places welcoming the public.
Pfizer will deliver 50 million additional doses of its vaccine to Europe.
This brings the total to 250 million units over this period.
These additional doses were expected in the fourth quarter, but they will eventually be delivered sooner.
Several complaints filed in France for suspicion of side effects related to AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines
Follow today's events ⤵️
7:15 am.
30,000 to 40,000 jobs threatened in the airport sector.
The Airport Trades Association estimates that 30,000 to 40,000 jobs are currently in danger.
“We already know that 7,500 jobs were destroyed on the Paris-Orly and Paris-CDG platforms in 2020. Fixed-term contracts and temporary workers usually called in as reinforcements were not requested.
Of the 300,000 jobs linked to airport jobs, 30,000 to 40,000 are in danger, ”said Patricia Larzillière, president of the Association for airport occupations in the Tribune.
A meeting with the cabinet of Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of the Economy, must take place during the day.
7 hours.
New restrictions in Guadeloupe.
After the significant increase in cases last week, the prefecture and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Guadeloupe have decided from Saturday until May 9 that the start time of the curfew will be brought forward by 10 p.m. at 7 pm with "the restaurants close in the evening at the curfew schedule".
In addition, the gauges in establishments open to the public, such as shopping and worship centers, will be lowered.
In schools, "a passage in half-gauges for students in middle and high schools" will be introduced on Monday as well as a "ban on competitions and sports training for adults" in sports establishments covered or open.
6:35 am.
The Belgians will soon be back on the terrace.
Belgium will ease several restrictions.
From May 8 the terraces will be able to reopen.
From Monday, travel abroad will be possible even if they remain "not recommended".
In addition, May 8 will also mark the end of the curfew, replaced by a ban on gatherings of more than three people outdoors between midnight and 5 a.m.
6.30 a.m.
Cuba allows ranchers to sell meat for the first time.
Cuban authorities have announced that breeders will now be allowed to slaughter animals to consume or sell their meat themselves.
A practice previously banned and punished up to ten years in prison.
Under the new provision, when a producer has supplied the government with the required quantity of meat, "he can slaughter an animal for his own consumption or sell it", said the new Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Perez Brito, during a talk show on Cuban television.
Cuba is currently going through a severe economic crisis caused by the tightening of the economic embargo of the United States, by the coronavirus pandemic and by the fall in tourism, its main source of foreign currency.
6:20 am.
Argentina tightens restrictions.
The Argentine government will impose in the capital Buenos Aires the closure of schools and a curfew from 8 p.m. to limit social activity as well as the suspension of sports, recreational, religious and cultural activities indoors until April 30. ..
Morning essentials newsletter
A tour of the news to start the day
Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters
6:10 am.
Cancellation of the Olympics still possible.
Toshihiro Nikai, general secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party, a senior official in the ruling party in Japan, has felt that canceling this year's Olympics is an option if the coronavirus crisis becomes too severe, according to the Kyodo news agency .
With less than 100 days of the scheduled start of the Games, he said that if an increase in coronavirus cases means "that the holding of the Olympics is impossible, we should give up," he said.
Japan is grappling with an increase in coronavirus infections, especially in Tokyo and Osaka.
In the meantime, the government is continuing its preparations by incorporating social distancing measures and restrictions on spectators for the Games which are due to start on July 23.
6:05 am.
The US administration extends the break for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Authorities have decided to extend the break on Johnson & Johnson vaccine injections.
A group of experts say they need more time to assess its possible links to the formation of serious blood clots.
6 hours.
Hello and welcome to this live.
It will allow you to follow the latest developments in the Covid-19 crisis, throughout the day.
