The French president is giving health care workers until September 15 to get vaccinated. The health pass will be extended in France and the tests will become chargeable. These measures are intended to boost vaccination.
Vaccination at all costs: more than ever the head of state makes it “the master asset” to face “the strong resumption of the epidemic that affects all territories” with the Delta variant. Because “the more we vaccinate, the less space we will leave to the virus” and “it is therefore a new race of speed that is engaged”, said Emmanuel Macron, speaking not at the Elysee Palace, but at the Grand Palais ephemeral, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. He thus announced several measures that will complicate the lives of people not yet vaccinated.
“From July 21, the health pass will be extended to places of leisure and culture. In concrete terms, for all our compatriots over 12 years old, it will be necessary to have been vaccinated or to present a recent negative test in order to access a show, an amusement park, a concert or a festival”.
“From the beginning of August, the health pass will apply in cafés, restaurants, shopping centers as well as in hospitals, retirement homes, medical and social establishments, but also in planes, trains and buses for long trips. Only people who have been vaccinated or can show a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old will be able to access these places.
“Everywhere, we will have the same approach: recognizing civic-mindedness and putting restrictions on the unvaccinated rather than on everyone.”
“For health care and non-health care personnel in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, institutions for the disabled, for all professionals or volunteers in contact with the elderly or frail, including those in the home, vaccination will become mandatory as of September 15. […] Checks will be carried out as of July 15 and sanctions will be taken.”
“In colleges, high schools, specific vaccination campaigns will be launched at the beginning of the school year.”
About PCR tests. “This fall, PCR tests will be made chargeable, unless prescribed by a doctor, in order to encourage vaccination rather than the multiplication of tests.”
A curfew will be established for Martinique and Reunion
Curfew in some territories. “We must put in place new measures to curb the virus. A curfew will be established for Martinique and Reunion”.
About border controls. “From this week, controls will be strengthened for nationals coming from countries at risk, with forced isolation for unvaccinated travelers”.
On economic recovery. “We have to live with this virus. The coming weeks will be those of mobilization to revive our economy”.
“Our recovery plan is being deployed at a steady pace. Of the 100 billion euros voted last fall, 40 billion have been mobilized on the ground. We must do even more.
“The reform of unemployment insurance will be implemented from October 1”
