Home Cartoon shows France’s Virus Pass is now compulsory in restaurants and trains | Economic news

France’s Virus Pass is now compulsory in restaurants and trains | Economic news

0


[ad_1]

PARIS (AP) – France took a big step into a post-pandemic future on Monday by demanding that people show a QR code proving they have a special anti-virus pass before they can enjoy restaurants and cafes or travel across the country.

The measure is part of a government plan to encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and slow an upsurge in infections, as the highly contagious delta variant now accounts for most cases in France. More than 36 million people in France, or more than 54% of the population, are fully vaccinated.

The special pass is issued to people who are vaccinated against COVID-19, or who have proof of recent recovery from the virus or who have recently tested negative. The measure also applies to tourists visiting the country.

In the southern city of Marseille, several restaurateurs had decided not to screen customers for the pass, a journalist from the Associated Press saw on Monday. Many see it as not their job to enforce the measure.

Political cartoons about world leaders

Political cartoons

Persons without a pass where it is required incur a fine of 135 euros. The government has said that during the first week of implementation, police checks will not result in penalties for non-compliance but rather will provide an opportunity to explain the law.

In hospitals, visitors and patients who have an appointment are required to have the pass. Exceptions are made for people requiring urgent care in the emergency department.

The pass is now compulsory on high-speed, interurban and night trains, which carry more than 400,000 passengers per day in France, Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said on Monday. It is also required for long-distance air or bus travel.

“We are going to impose massive checks,” Djebbari said.

Paper or digital documents are accepted.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain football club will be treated to a large crowd for their first home game of the season against Strasbourg in the French league on Saturday. PSG said the Paris prefecture approved 49,700 fans at the Parc des Princes stadium, with spectators expected to show their virus passes.

Polls show that most French people support the health pass.

Immediately after President Emmanuel Macron announced the measure on July 12, more than a million people in France made an appointment for a vaccine in less than a day. Since then, at least 7 million people have received their first injection.

Still, the measure has drawn strong opposition from some people who say it compromises their freedoms by restricting movement and daily activities outside the home.

On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched in Paris and other French cities for a fourth consecutive week of protests against the measure.

The virus pass has already been in place since last month for cultural and recreational venues, including cinemas, concert halls, sports arenas and theme parks.

The law also requires French health workers to be vaccinated against the virus before September 15.

Follow all of AP’s stories on the global pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

Associated Press journalist Daniel Cole in Marseille contributed.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[ad_2]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here