Health crisis exit plan: until when?

The state of health emergency regime established in spring 2020 and the subsequent state of health emergency exit regime shall end on 31 July 2022, as provided for in the law of 10 November 2021.

The law of 30 July 2022 puts an end to these exceptional regimes created to fight the epidemic linked to the Covid-19. In order to take the necessary and proportionate measures that a resumption of the epidemic might require, the law nevertheless maintains a health surveillance and safety system in relation to the fight against the Covid-19. Thus, the information systems SI-DEP and Contact Covid, are extended until 30 June 2023 to monitor the outbreak.

The law also allows the government to request a negative test for travellers aged at least 12 to the national territory from the foreigner but also from or to the outermost territories.

The transitional period of exit from a health emergency is scheduled from June 2, 2021 to July 31, 2022. During this period, the Prime Minister may limit:

• travel;
• the possibility of using public transport (e.g. the requirement to wear masks), and banning it in the territories where the virus is believed to be actively circulating;
• opening of establishments that receive the public (shops, cafes, restaurants, theatres, cinemas...) or meeting places and their access (barrier measures, gauge of persons...) or temporarily closing them;
• rallies, meetings and demonstrations.

During this period, if the health situation warrants it in view of the circulation of the virus and on the basis of specific health indicators (vaccination rate, positive test rate, incidence rate or saturation rate of the beds of resuscitation), a sanitary may be required for access to places or events that welcome the public for cultural, sports or leisure activities or professional fairs or trade shows.