French Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced that the country's authorities are preparing a bill to extend the Health Pass. According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, the new bill to extend such a requirement will be presented to the Council of Ministers on October 13.
Commenting on the decision, Castex said that while it may seem paradoxical to extend the health permit rule even when everyone is talking about reducing restrictions, citizens should keep the permit when attending events or going to certain places to avoid an increase in health care. number of COVID-19 infections.
The extension of the bill comes at the suggestion of President Emmanuel Macron, who said restrictions could be relaxed in some areas where coronavirus infection rates are falling.
The Health Pass was introduced in June by the country's authorities. Earlier, Parliament approved a bill requiring everyone in the country to hold a vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from illness or a negative result of a recent coronavirus test. Without proof, citizens cannot have access to bars, restaurants, hospitals, shopping malls, planes, trains and so on.
Even if those who have a negative coronavirus test that have been performed recently fall within the same rules as those who have been vaccinated, Macron suggested that the entire population should be vaccinated because it is more convenient to have a vaccine. vaccination certificate, than to pay and perform a COVID-19 test every 48 hours.
Tourists must hold a certificate to be allowed access to certain places and to access certain services. The EU COVID digital certificate is also valid.
The "health permit" is implemented as part of the national reopening plan. It makes it possible to limit the risks of the spread of the epidemic, to minimize the likelihood of contamination in risk situations and therefore the pressure on the health system. At the same time, it allows for certain outdoor activities.
In addition, with the exception of the adult population, from 30 September, the health permit requirement will become mandatory for all young people aged between 12 and 17 who wish to participate in certain events.
Minors between the ages of 12 and 16 only need the consent of a parent to be tested or vaccinated against COVID-19. While those over the age of 16 can decide for themselves whether they want to be vaccinated. Based on recent figures provided by the French government, approximately 50 million of the country's population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.