Forty million people in France have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, or nearly 60% of the population, Emmanuel Macron announced on Twitter on Monday July 26. “It is together that we will defeat the virus. We continue ! “, encouraged the head of state, which is currently in French Polynesia.
The government, which is counting in particular on strengthening vaccination to try to stem the active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in France under the effect of the highly contagious Delta variant, had set itself the objective of these 40 million before the end of July. It is now targeting the target of 50 million first-time vaccines by the end of August.
According to the latest official report, 49.3% of the French population (33.2 million people) are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, i.e. vaccination coverage well below the level required to achieve collective immunity. In an opinion of the scientific council, this proportion is estimated at 95%.
Emmanuel Macron calls to “continue” vaccination
Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fact that 4 million people have been vaccinated in the last fortnight, since the announcement, on July 12, of the extension of the field of the health pass (vaccination or negative test). This document, already mandatory since July 21 in cultural and leisure venues, will become mandatory at the beginning of August in bars and restaurants, as well as in interregional transport and all healthcare establishments, then at the end of August for their employees.
From Polynesia, the Head of State launched a message this weekend ” very strong ” for “Call everyone to be vaccinated” in order to protect themselves and others. He also blasted “Irresponsibility” and “Selfishness” of those who refuse to be vaccinated, after new demonstrations by opponents on Saturday.
According to key figures communicated on Sunday by Public Health France, the health situation remains generally stable despite the sharp increase in cases of contamination for about two weeks (16,167 new cases on Sunday). The authorities are counting on vaccination to prevent this increase from affecting hospitals. More than 6,800 Covid-19 patients were hospitalized on Sunday, including 886 in critical care services.
The Constitutional Council will decide on August 5 on the health bill
The Constitutional Council will render its decision on August 5 on the law relating to the management of the health crisis, which notably provides for the extension of the health pass and which was adopted definitively by Parliament on Sunday evening. The text should enter into force from the beginning of August, in accordance with the initial will of the executive.
With this bill, the health pass must be extended to cafes, restaurants, fairs and trade shows, as well as to planes, trains, long-distance coaches, to medical establishments except in emergencies as well as, finally, to shopping centers upon decision of the prefects. The bill also makes compulsory the vaccination of staff in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes (accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people) and retirement homes, firefighters, certain soldiers, as well as for professionals and volunteers working with people. elderly, including at home.
In addition, people tested positive for the coronavirus must be placed in isolation for a non-renewable period of ten days in the place of accommodation they determine. Isolation may end earlier if the test is negative.
For their part, seventy-four socialist, “rebellious”, communist, environmentalist or member of the Freedoms and Territories group have lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Council. They judge the conditions for examination in Parliament of the text on the health pass “Extreme” and harming his “Sincerity”. They also assert that given the time limits imposed, the current or future stocks of vaccine will not allow the population concerned to be vaccinated in the past, creating a “Breach of the principle of equality”.
SUD-Rail calls on railway workers not to control sanitary passes
SUD-Rail called on Monday the railway workers to “Do not carry out checks on sanitary passes”, which will become necessary from August to travel on TGV, Intercity trains and international trains from France. The union asks SNCF agents to only carry out “Their only security and ticket control missions”, he said in a statement.
Regarding SNCF employees (controllers, rail security officers) who will need a health pass to be able to work on board these long-distance trains from August 30, SUD-Rail warns that it “Will not hesitate to call for a strike on the whole” of the group, “If the State and the management of the SNCF came to confirm their intentions to sanction” employees without a pass “By suspension or reclassification” to a position that does not require this pass.
If it is for “General vaccination on a global scale” – the “Best way to stop the pandemic” -, SUD-Rail “Refuses coercion and infringement of freedoms” and “Is positioned against the sanitary pass”, let him judge “Antisocial” and “Discriminatory”. This health pass “Is built against workers, especially those” who worked “Without any protection during the first wave and who this time will be the first to be punished”, believes the union.
For border controls, the government wants “the greatest rigor”
The Minister for Public Accounts, Olivier Dussopt, asked customs officials on Monday “The greatest rigor” in health checks and border control of travelers who, failing to present the necessary documents, risk being returned or placed in solitary confinement.
“Personal health checks must become a priority for customs services until the health situation is brought under control again”, affirms in a letter the minister, on whom depend the customs officers. This document provides that the staff dedicated to checks will be increased and reminds that travelers aged 12 or over must prove that they are vaccinated or have a negative screening test of less than 72 hours or a certificate of remission. .
“We apply rules which are strict but which are the only way to slow the circulation of the virus”, explained Olivier Dussopt during a press point at the La Turbie toll booth, on the A8, near the Italian border.
Our selection of articles on the health pass