Despite widespread protests, the French parliament on Monday approved a law that makes a COVID-19 health pass mandatory to access leisure and cultural venues, including bars and restaurants. The health pass will have information on whether the user has been vaccinated, tested negative in the last 48 hours, or recovered from the infection in the previous six months.
News reports stated that the law, which will be applicable from early August, includes the requirement of a health pass for domestic travel, access to bars and restaurants, and mandatory vaccination for healthcare professionals by September 15, after which they risk suspension without pay. However, the health pass is not applicable for visits to shopping centres. In addition, the French lawmakers also inserted an amendment that mandates another vote if the government wishes to extend the use of health passes beyond November 15. Initially, the health pass will only apply to adults, but from September 30, it will cover individuals of age group 12 and above.
While supporting the health pass, President Emmanuel Macron and his government officials said, “It is needed to protect vulnerable populations and hospitals as infections rebound and to avoid new lockdowns.” Likewise, Health Minister Olivier Véran, while speaking to the readers of Le Parisien about the health pass, said, “We would have done well without it if the context was different. We will put an end to it the minute we can.”
The announcement had a measurable impact on the vaccination drive, with thousands of people signing up to get the jab. Regarding this, President Marcon tweeted that “40 million residents or about 60% of the population have received at least one dose.”
Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets to oppose the government’s decision to make the health pass mandatory to access cultural establishments and compulsory vaccination of some professionals as France battles another wave of COVID-19. The Interior Ministry stated that more than one million people held demonstrations across France against vaccine dictatorship and the health pass. At various venues, police clashed with protesters carrying placards, saying, “Freedom, I am not your guinea pig.” News reports stated that thousands of people marched in Marseilles to cries of “Freedom, Freedom” and “Macron, your pass, we don’t want it.”
During his visit to French Polynesia, President Macron criticised the demonstrators and urged for national unity. Although the President acknowledged the right to express dissent calmly and respectfully, he said, “Demonstrations won’t make the coronavirus go away.”
The highest constitutional court in France is expected to rule on the health pass law on August 5.
France Approves Law Mandating Health Pass And Vaccination Amidst Protests
Amid protests, the French Parliament has approved a law that mandates the use of health pass for domestic travel and access to leisure and cultural places, including bars and restaurants.
July 27, 2021
SOURCE: AXIOS