French economy minister Bruno Le Maire affirms that companies in difficulty will continue to benefit from support through the government's fixed cost support scheme, which will take over from the solidarity fund on October 1 and be extended to all companies in the tourism and related sectors, despite it previously being limited to those with a turnover of more than €1 million, following a meeting with employers' organisations. Labour minister Elisabeth Borne says she is "confident" the health pass requirement for employees in contact with the public would come into force today and promised "flexibility" in controls during this "trial week". (COMPLETES VIDI9LW467_EN and VIDI9LW423_EN) IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES