The measures in the law, which were passed on Monday night, have led to large-scale demonstrations and political unrest in France.
President Emmanuel Macron and his government say it is necessary because of the increase in infection to protect vulnerable groups and the country’s hospitals and to avoid new shutdowns.
The law requires that everyone who works in the health sector is vaccinated by 15 September, otherwise they risk being suspended. Corona passport requirements are also introduced for going to restaurants, traveling by train and plane and in public places. The requirement applies to all adults, but will from 30 September be extended to apply to everyone over 12 years of age.
Virus situation crucial
To get a corona pass, you must either be fully vaccinated, have recently tested negative or have recovered from coronary heart disease.
A separate provision will clarify how similar documents from other countries are to be handled.
The bill became public knowledge six days ago. The politicians have worked through the weekend and agreed on a compromise, which was adopted in the Senate on Sunday night and in the National Assembly after midnight Monday night.
The rules can be applied until November 15, depending on the virus situation.
Macron: Demonstrations not the right medicine
Macron has called for mass vaccination and for the nation to stand together to stop the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus. At the same time, he has reached out to those who spread misinformation about the vaccines.
About 160,000 people demonstrated in France on Saturday against the measures. Many shouted “freedom” and said that the government could not dictate what they must do.
Macron says people have “the right to express themselves in a peaceful and respectful way”, but he emphasizes that the coronavirus does not disappear through demonstrations.
But more than 111,000 people with coronavirus have so far died in France, which currently registers about 20,000 new cases of infection daily. At the beginning of the month, the same number was a few thousand, and the fear of congested hospitals is increasing again.
(©NTB)
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