This is the end of two key measures in the fight against Covid. From February 1, systematic isolation for people who test positive for Covid-19 will no longer be required, announced the Directorate General of Health (DGS) this Saturday. Just like screening tests for contact cases.
The government has therefore decided to follow the recommendations of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP). Already before the summer, the body had pleaded to end this rule in the event of a “favorable” development in the situation.
In a press release, the DGS justifies this decision precisely by this “favorable epidemic context, marked by very low viral circulation in metropolitan France and overseas”, as well as by “similar strategies in all European countries “.
Barrier gestures always “highly recommended”
Until now, people who tested positive were required to self-isolate for at least 5 days and to be tested on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contact persons. These rules will no longer be in effect in a few days.
“On the other hand, as with any illness with an acute respiratory infection, it remains strongly recommended that people who test positive for Covid-19, as well as people who have been exposed to a contagious person and likely to develop the disease, respect barrier gestures. , to be tested and to avoid contact with fragile people”, specifies the General Directorate of Health.
The SI-DEP system for reporting test results is also changing, even if it is maintained until June 30, 2023. From now on, its use “will be conditional on the prior collection of consent, from the persons concerned, the sharing of their personal data », Explains the DGS.
Farewell to “contact-tracing” and sick leave without a waiting period
On January 31, the Health Insurance “Contact Covid” teleservice, which allowed the identification and care of people sick with Covid-19 and contact cases, will also be terminated. This measure is not a surprise, it was provided for by the law of July 30, 2022 which organized the exit from the state of health emergency.
This judgment also implies “de facto the cessation of the derogatory system for taking charge of sick leave linked to Covid-19”, indicates the DGS in its press release. Concretely, this means that work stoppages linked to a case of Covid-19 now fall within the classic framework, which provides for a waiting period before the payment of daily allowances by Social Security.
The end of this “Covid Contact” service finally suspends the possibilities for Sickness Insurance to search for contact cases in the entourage of people positive for Covid-19.
