New restrictive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus are expected to be announced tomorrow by the French government as the infection rate rises nationally, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said today.
According to him, the government wants to avoid significant restrictions on public life, preferring to strengthen the rules of social distance and speed up the campaign to strengthen vaccination. The government will also tighten rules on the use of sanitary passes, he said.
The epidemic is likely to worsen in the coming days, with the incidence rate – the number of infections per week per 100,000 people – rising to more than 200 in the next day or two.
“We have to protect the French people by building on what we have, to save the holidays at the end of the year and get through the winter as best we can,” Atal told a news conference.
The French health certificate, which allows access to cafes, restaurants, museums, cinemas and other public spaces for people who have been vaccinated or have recently passed a COVID test – is one of the main reasons why France is doing better than some from her neighbors, says Emanuel Macron.
Attal declined to comment on what Health Minister Olivier Veran could announce on Thursday, but the government is expected to follow the advice of health regulator HAS, which said on Friday that the third dose of the vaccine should be extended to all citizens over the age of 40.
“Although we see a significant increase in pressure on the hospital system in the coming weeks, we believe we can avoid sinking, provided we continue to increase vaccination, social distance and use of the health card,” Attal added.
So far the third boost is only available for people over 65 and vulnerable, but from December 1 it will also be available for the 50-64 age group. From 15 December, people over the age of 65 will also have to present a proof COVID-19 booster vaccine in order for their health cards to remain valid.
Reuters
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