“The climatic conditions are not going to improve and the holidays will favor contacts, these are risky periods”, explained Jean Castex on Thursday, December 10, during a press conference on the health crisis due to the coronavirus.
The Prime Minister was clear: We will not be on December 15 at the objective of 5,000 cases per day“. Nevertheless, the government has chosen to adapt the containment measures “so that everyone can enjoy the holidays” but “without exposing themselves to the risk of an epidemic rebound” like that observed in North America after Thanksgiving, and ultimately “avoid a 3rd confinement” in the first quarter of 2021.
No curfew on Christmas Eve, no more than 6 people
From December 15, it is indeed possible to travel again without a certificate, including between regions. Nevertheless curfew is set up in the evening and at night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
On the subject of the end-of-year celebrations, Jean Castex considered that Christmas “occupies a special place in our lives and in our traditions”. That is why the exception of the curfew will be maintained on the evening of December 24. Provided, however, to be “reasonable” and to respect the gauge of 6 people at the table, not counting the children.
The Scientific Council recalls in a note distributed on December 14, that the ComCor study carried out in France last October-November shows a high risk of transmission of the virus during meals, whether they take place in a private environment (family, friendly ) or public (cafes, restaurants, etc.). In addition, he recalls that “asymptomatic patients can transmit the virus and that they are responsible for around 40 to 50% of new contaminations.”
On the other hand, with regard to December 31, the government considers that it is a “festive” moment, which “cconcentrate all the ingredients for an epidemic rebound“This is why the New Year will not ultimately benefit from an exception to the curfew, contrary to what was initially envisaged. It will nevertheless be possible to meet before 8 p.m., “within the limit of 6 people”, further specified Jean Castex.
Self-confinement, school absences on December 17 and 18
As advised by Jean Castex, the ideal is to limit interactions to five days before New Year’s Eve. In its latest opinion, the Scientific Council even recommends “restricting contacts as much as possible one week before December 24 or 31, especially for those who wish to spend holidays with the family”.
He continues: “The latter must be encouraged, if they can, to take leave during this period, failing which, teleworking is to be preferred.”
With regard to schools and colleges, Jean Castex, following the advice of the Scientific Council, suggested this Tuesday, December 15 during an interview on Europe 1, that children who can do so do not go to school on Thursday and Friday to limit the risk of contamination at Christmas. “Whenever possible, especially if we have to receive vulnerable people at Christmas, the Scientific Council (…) said (…) if you can not take your children to school on Thursday and Friday (…) you do it.” Remember that school absences on December 17 and 18 will not be penalized.
Getting tested before New Year’s Eve: it’s not an “immunity totem”
Should you get tested before the holidays, before visiting your family? “It may seem like a good idea, but there is a risk of over-protection especially when you are not symptomatic, justified Olivier Véran on December 10, before specifying: “having a negative test when you are asymptomatic does not mean that you are not carrying the virus.”
The Minister of Health refers here to false negatives, that is to say people whose test is negative when they are carriers of the virus, therefore positive. This risk is higher with antigenic tests. According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), the latter are less sensitive than reference PCR tests : in the event of a negative result, the result is reliable in 80% of cases with an antigen test, whereas it is 95% reliable with a conventional test. In other words, the percentage of “false negatives” is higher with rapid antigen tests, 20% therefore.
In practice, this figure of 20% false negatives with antigen tests could even be higher, up to 30%, or 1 in 3 people who would not be screened.
The HAS also confirmed during a press conference on December 5 that there is “heterogeneity” in the antigenic tests available on the market, “some have good performance, others do not”.
The risk ? Feel reassured after receiving a negative test and relax barrier gestures. The Minister of Health also took an example on Thursday evening: “The risk would be that 20 people who have planned to share a meal, decide to be tested, having confidence find themselves at the table, stop barrier gestures, do not wear the mask, share the same household for several days with fragile people , thinking of risking nothing when the virus is there and the risk of transmission is real.
To summarize, a negative test should not change behaviors and barrier gestures. “If you have any doubts or if you go to a vulnerable person, you can get tested but do not use the test as an immunity totem, it is risky for you, for your loved ones and for everyone. those who will really need to be tested because they will be sick or in contact.
Because the Minister of Health fears a congestion of laboratories or pharmacies, in the event that 15 or 20 million French people decide to be tested urgently before going to share the Christmas meal. “No health facility in the world would be able to cope with it, even though we are one of the countries that are currently testing the most.”
The Scientific Council summarizes the situation in 2 cases:
- You are symptomatic in the week before the days of December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 : in this case, you must benefit from a diagnostic test and must isolate yourself without waiting for the result of the test. An antigen test can be performed if the onset of symptoms is recent (< 3 days) and an RT-PCR test if the onset of symptoms is older (⩾4 days).
- You are asymptomatic and wondering whether or not to take a test. Two scenarios arise: first case, there is a risk-taking in the week preceding the days of December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 due to a multiplication of contacts or a proven positive contact, then a RT-PCR test can be performed, or failing that, an antigen test. Second case, there is no risk-taking or self-confinement took place in the week preceding the days of December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, the virological tests (RTPCR or antigenic tests) did not , or little, of interest. They are therefore not recommended.
The good gestures to remember!
Hugs are to be avoided this year. When the guests arrive: do not kiss or hug. The mask is therefore essential, especially with fragile people and the elderly.Washing your hands regularly and especially before meals is also essential. You can leave bottles of hydroalcoholic gel in the room so you can remember to wash your hands again during the evening.
Around the table, install the guests so as to keep a safe distance, i.e. 1 meter between each person. Good remember to air the rooms several times a day and at least 20 minutes in the morning, even if it’s cold! This allows to limit the risk of virus concentration in the room. If you have a garden, do not hesitate to go out from time to time.
For the aperitif, it can be smart to plan one small container per person. Why not opt for recipes to be prepared in verrines, so you don’t eat from the same dish. For the service, it is better not to serve each in turn, contact with the dish and cutlery risking distributing the virus to all the guests. Only one person serves to eat, after washing their hands and wearing a mask.
Finally, avoid toasting because droplets can pass from one glass to another and spread the virus (do not exchange glasses either).
Read also:
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- What is a compelling family reason?
