Guest of the 1 p.m. of TF1, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced this Thursday the suspension of the vaccine pass from March 14. Set up to fight against Covid-19, the vaccine pass aroused strong opposition when it was put in place. The Minister of Health Olivier Véran had already announced its possible abolition in mid-March.
Jean Castex also announced on this date the end of wearing a mask indoors, except in public transport. The health pass will however remain in force in medical establishments, such as hospitals and nursing homes, as well as the vaccination obligation which applies to caregivers, he specified.
“The situation is improving thanks to our collective efforts, thanks to the measures that we have taken (..), the conditions are met for a new phase of easing of the measures”, justified the head of government. The winter wave of Covid-19 has been in decline for several weeks. On average over seven days, the number of new cases of contamination stood at 53,152 on Wednesday evening against more than 70,000 a week ago. The pressure is also reduced in the hospital, where 2,329 people are in critical care.
The vaccination pass still in force in health establishments
The government had so far mentioned a passage below the threshold of 1,500 patients in critical care by mid-March among the criteria for lifting all or part of the vaccination pass, in force since January 24. “From Monday March 14 we will suspend the application of the vaccine pass wherever it applies,” said Jean Castex on Thursday. On the same date, he announced the “end of the wearing of the compulsory mask in all places where it is still” applied, “that is to say rather inside”.
However, two measures continue to remain in force. “Wearing a mask will remain compulsory in public passenger transport given the crowding,” he said. In addition, the health pass will also remain in force in “health establishments, retirement homes, establishments welcoming people with disabilities who are particularly fragile”, as well as “the vaccination obligation which applies to caregivers “.