French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ordered all French medical staff to be vaccinated against the virus by September 15 and urged all his compatriots to be vaccinated as soon as possible to combat recurrent infections that threaten the country’s economic recovery.
In the televised speech, Macron also asked for special Coronavirus disease A pass for anyone who wants to go to a restaurant, shopping center or hospital, or take a train or plane. To obtain a pass, people must prove that they have been fully vaccinated, or have recently recovered from the virus, or have undergone a new negative virus test.
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Just as France begins the summer season after the long-awaited reopening, the delta variant is pushing the virus infection in France to rise again. Approximately 40% of the French population has been fully vaccinated.
“Get vaccinated!” is the president’s general message. He even posted a GIF of himself repeating this sentence on Twitter.
Macron said in the context of the Eiffel Tower: “The country is facing a strong recovery from the epidemic that affects all of our territories.” He warned that there may be a new wave of hospitalizations in August. “The equation is simple. We are vaccinated. The more vaccines there are, the less room for the virus to spread.”
But he did not take any new blockade measures, saying “We must learn to coexist with the virus.”
Macron said that the government will declare a medical emergency again starting from Tuesday, which gives the authorities more freedom to implement virus restrictions.
Most European governments have avoided compulsory vaccination. But after tens of thousands of infected people died in French nursing homes, Macron said that vaccination is mandatory for all staff in medical institutions or nursing homes, as well as all staff or volunteers caring for the elderly or sick at home. Less. He said those who have not been vaccinated before September 15 will face potential sanctions or fines.
Greece announced on Monday that if medical staff refuse to be vaccinated, they will be suspended. Italy stipulates that medical staff and pharmacists must be vaccinated against the coronavirus, and those who opt out may be suspended or paid.
In Denmark, restaurants and public events require a digital pass to show that you have been fully vaccinated or have recently tested negative. Some German states have the same requirements for restaurants, although the recommendation for mandatory vaccination has caused widespread anxiety.
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In France, the vaccine can be used by anyone 12 years and older. But in recent weeks, people’s hesitation about vaccines, the feeling that the virus is no longer a threat, and some people postpone vaccination after summer vacation, people’s interest has diminished. As people prepared for Macron’s announcement, demand began to rise again over the weekend.
Macron also announced on Monday that France will start charging for some virus tests, which have so far been free for anyone on French territory.
At the same time, French restaurants and bars are booming again, the Tour de France has attracted crowds from all over the country, and Hollywood stars are holding hands and wearing no masks on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. Cheek kisses are making a comeback.
After being closed for nine months since the pandemic began, the Parisian restaurant owner expressed concern about the challenge of implementing the new requirements.
“In the past, our job was to make sure our guests had fun when they were with us. Now, we spend time reprimanding them. We have no training in this area,” said Louis le Mahieu, manager of Bancs Public, a Parisian restaurant. He said he would comply with any new hygiene rules, but warned that the new measures may generate new costs and lower returns.
For Gauthier Max, its bar Mama Kin was closed for 9 days for violating COVID-19 measures. The restaurant and bar are no longer leisure places, but rather restricted and restricted spaces.
“We have actually become police officers,” he told the Associated Press.
Two weeks ago, the number of virus infections in France began to rise again. The number of people in French hospitals and intensive care units has been declining for several weeks, but doctors predict that when delta variant infections increase and hit vulnerable people, the number will increase, as in the United Kingdom and Spain.
Meanwhile, Macron also met with people in the auto industry on Monday, and he tried to combine his virus warning with a message of hope for one of the world’s largest economies. The new infection is threatening France’s vital tourism industry and Macron’s ambitious economic recovery plan-only nine months before the next presidential election he is expected to participate in.
© 2021 Canadian Press
