New business rules coming soon

[PASS SANITAIRE] Following the Health Council on December 6, the Prime Minister was pleased to recommend more telecommunications, but announced restrictions on corporate ceremonies. Nightclubs, Christmas markets and other outdoor events are also targeted.

[Mise à jour du lundi 6 décembre 2021 à 20h06] “Awareness Activities”. Prime Minister Jean Costex made the announcement at a press conference with Health Minister Olivier Véran following the Health Council meeting on the morning of Monday, December 6. Facing 50,000 cases daily, he called for “clarity and vigilance without allowing for any kind of panic.” Many recommendations but some mandatory measures have been announced: no quantity, no restriction or curfew order.

The Minister initially called for “keeping our vaccine shield and strengthening it”, recalling that the vaccine loses its effectiveness over time. The Prime Minister said that 52 million French people had been vaccinated, of which ten million had been vaccinated and 500,000 had been vaccinated every day, including 20,000 to 30,000 the first time. He also sent a “solemn message” to those who had not been vaccinated.

Jean Costex stressed the need to “make it a priority for people 65 and over”: they can now get booster doses at vaccination centers because they are at risk of developing severe form. Even without an appointment. With three new large capacity centers, the number of vaccination centers in Paris will increase from 13 to 22 by the end of the year, according to Police Headquarters. In fact, at the same time a Booster dose From January 15, 2022 all adults will be required to have their own health pass, booking slots will be taken by storm and available appointments will be delayed by several weeks.

The Prime Minister called for a “personal effort” to limit his contacts in danger, and called for the professional sector as well as the professional sector to abandon festive events until Christmas. “Clear rules will be enacted for the business environment, including vow ceremonies”.

In this situation teleworking is encouraged again without any obligation. “All companies that can and do not do that need to implement teleworking more.” The Prime Minister recommends two to three days a week telecommunication work if possible, indicating that this is possible up to three days a week in the state civil service. He also warned that the government would take further control measures if it did not act on the recommendation of the televising extension.

In addition, during outdoor events, especially at Christmas markets, consumption will be monitored and assigned to areas subject to health permits. Its control will be strengthened by the police in the coming weeks, and the chief executive called on the managers of the areas subject to the device to better control it. On the other hand, a strong action has been taken against the discotheques, which have been administratively closed for the first four weeks since Friday. But Jean Costex promised they would be financially supported again, as well as event companies and caterers “who would be affected by our actions”. He also stressed the importance of respecting restraining gestures: compulsory immediate wearing of the mask, frequent ventilation, and body space.

Finally, new activities are of concern to children. In schools, the health protocol will be raised to level 3, in which wearing a mask is mandatory, and some contact sports activities will be eliminated. Food facilities will be provided in schools to avoid adulteration. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 can be vaccinated by December 15. Other children under this age will also have access to the vaccine, subject to the approval of the Health and Ethics Advisory Board, probably to vaccination centers on December 20 and to city medicine on December 27, Olivier Véran says. The Orientation Council on Vaccination Strategy has already expressed itself positively.

“If we know how to be responsible and vigilant in three weeks, no other action is required, and the Prime Minister promised that Christmas celebrations would be conducted without additional restrictions.

In addition, due to the progress of the new Omigron variant discovered by South Africa, the conditions for coming to France from abroad have been tightened since last week. For those arriving in countries outside the EU, even those who have been vaccinated may need PCR or antigen testing. It should be less than 48 hours (less than 24 hours for antigenic testing when returning from countries classified as “scarlet red”). Flights with South Africa were suspended for a few days due to the variation and resumed on Saturday with “strict supervision,” a government spokesman said. Only Europeans and embassy and maritime personnel are authorized to come from these ten countries. They should be examined as soon as they arrive and isolated for ten days. For those who have not been vaccinated, seven days of self-isolation is mandatory to return from all countries except those on the “Green Countries” list, and except these “green” countries are allowed to come to France only for compelling reasons. For travelers from the European Union and those who have not been vaccinated, the test should be less than 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Information and Freedom needs solid evidence of the effectiveness of various control measures aimed at controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, particularly to ensure health care. Cnil’s fourth opinion on the matter He recalled that such devices, which violate a certain degree of independence, could only be justified if their effectiveness was proven, and that the government had not yet provided the data needed to evaluate it.

Following the law which came into force on November 10 last, the Health Pass has been extended till an unknown date as it can be used by the government till July 31, 2022 without the approval of the Parliament.