Coronavirus epidemic (Covid-19)

Extended health pass, mandatory vaccination for carers, paid PCR tests 

Publié le null - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

On Monday, 12 July 2021, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, announced new health measures due to the worrying circulation of the Delta variant throughout the country. Health pass extended to all places of culture and leisure from 21 July 2021, vaccination required for health workers before 15 September,

comfort

in autumn, Service-Public.fr details these new measures planned to slow down a strong recovery of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Image 1
Image 1Crédits: © Romain TALON - stock.adobe.com

A State of Health Emergency has been declared in the territories of Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy. It takes effect at midnight on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. It is already in force in Martinique, French Guiana and Réunion.

Martinique is subject to a confinement from Friday, July 30, 7 p.m., for a period of at least three weeks.

The health measures, specific to Overseas Territories, in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic .

Please note

In the metropolis, in the departments with incidence rates exceeding 200 per 100 000 inhabitants and increasing hospitalisations, braking measures can be taken locally by the prefects.

Extension of health pass

From 21 July 2021, the health pass becomes obligatory in all places and events planned for cultural, sports and leisure activities (theatres, cinemas, museums, amusement parks, festivals, concert halls, sports establishments covered...) accommodating at least 50 people. To access these sites, persons over 12 years of age will have to present proof of non-contamination to the Covid: Full vaccination certificate, negative RT-PCR or antigenic test of less than 48 hours, result of a positive RT-PCR test of at least 11 days and less than 6 months, attesting to the recovery of the Covid. It can be presented in paper or digital format from the Tousanticovid application.

The following extensions are the subject of a draft law on the management of the health crisis which was examined by Parliament on 20 July 2021.

  • From the beginning of August, the health pass should be mandatory in cafes, bars and restaurants, even on the terrace, but also in shopping centres (by decision of the prefect of the department due to its sanitary conditions), hospitals, nursing homes. It should also be mandatory on board aircraft, trains (TGV, Intercity) and interregional coaches for long distance journeys.
  • All staff at places where the pass is imposed on customers will also be required to carry the health pass from 30 August 2021. Failure to do so may result in their employment contract being suspended without pay. An assignment to another position, without contact with the public, may be offered. It will not be possible to be dismissed for lack of health pass. However, fixed-term employment contracts (LTDs) may be broken by employers.
  • For adolescents aged 12 to 17, the health pass would apply from September 30, 2021 (instead of August 30 as initially envisaged) in the places where it will be required.

FYI  

As part of the health pass required in public places, vaccination is recognised as complete in France one week after the second dose, not two. On the other hand, the fourteen-day period for vaccination to be considered complete is maintained for travel outside France.

Vaccination required for health workers

The obligation to vaccinate before 15 September 2021 concerns:

  • all staff, carers or non-carers, hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, residential care for the elderly (Ehpad) and facilities for the disabled;
  • all professionals or volunteers in contact with elderly or vulnerable people, including at home.

As of 15 September, checks could be carried out and sanctions imposed on unvaccinated staff within the time limit laid down.

FYI  

To counter the resumption of the epidemic and the rise of the Delta variant, a massive vaccination is planned all summer. The French can therefore receive their first or second dose of vaccine at their holiday destination.

In the new year, specific vaccination campaigns for high school students will be deployed in schools.

On the other hand, from the beginning of September, a recall campaign (3e The vaccine dose) will be offered to the most vulnerable people (residents of Ehpad, people over 75 years of age, people with a disease at risk of developing a serious form) who were vaccinated in January or February 2021. Indeed, immunity gradually decreases over the months.

Paid comfort tests

In autumn, the PCR and antigenic tests for Covid-19, known as

comfort

, i.e., to travel to a place where a health pass is required or to travel, should be charged.

Only PCR or antigenic tests prescribed by a doctor or for people in contact cases can be taken care of by Health Insurance.

Please note

Since July 7, 2021, the Covid-19 (PCR and antigenic) tests are paid for for foreigners tourists coming to France. They must now spend €43.89 for a PCR test, €25 for an antigenic test.

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