In France, the health situation is improving, according to the authorities. This is why the Prime Minister detailed, on January 20, the timetable for lifting health measures. This February 16 marks a new stage in the easing of restrictions. What changes are taking place today? We take stock.
- Since February 15, the time for injection of the third dose of vaccine against Covid-19 has been reduced from 7 to 4 months. To keep a vaccination pass, it is necessary to carry out the recall from 3 months after having received the last injection, within a period of one month maximum.
- From this Wednesday, the consumption and sale of food and drink in stadiums, cinemas or public transport is again permitted. Standing concerts and standing consumption in bars can resume. Nightclubs can reopen.
In recent weeks, some rules introduced by the government to fight against Covid-19 have gradually evolved. Since February 2, the French are no longer obliged to wear a mask outdoors. On this date, the gauges in establishments welcoming the seated public were also removed. The government has also announced the end of compulsory telework in companies. Thirteen days later, changes to the vaccination pass came into effect. Since Tuesday, the deadline for taking your booster dose has been reduced from 7 to 4 months and the validity period of the recovery certificate has been reduced from 6 to 4 months, new measures which have caused the deactivation of the vaccine pass from 4 to 4 months. 5 million French.
A further relaxation of health rules this Wednesday
Despite this sharp increase in the number of those who will be forced by the absence of a vaccination pass, this February 16, a new wave of lifting of restrictions awaits citizens. From this Wednesday, it is again allowed to eat standing up in bars, to consume food in a stadium, a cinema or transport, such as the train. From now on, the French can also attend a standing concert. This date also marks the reopening of nightclubs, closed since December 10. According to the Ministry of the Economy, convivial moments can resume in the professional sphere. “If the sanitary conditions allow it, the school protocol could be lightened at the start of the February holidays”, can we read on the government website.
The end of the sale of self-tests in supermarkets
Another novelty, from this Wednesday, citizens can no longer buy self-tests in supermarkets. The sale of these screening tests had been exceptionally authorized by the executive at the end of December and until January 31 to deal with massive demand caused by the fifth wave epidemic and the Omicron variant. It was then extended for two weeks. As of February 16, self-tests are only available in pharmacies.
A possible end to the wearing of the mask in mid-March
Asked by France Infothis Wednesday, the Minister of Health mentioned the possible end of the wearing of the mask indoors in mid-March. “If we follow this dynamic, 15 days after February 28, that brings us to mid-March, we could start to seriously ask ourselves the question of wearing a mask indoors, among adults and children”, said Olivier Véran. He specified that this lifting of the obligation could concern public transport. “We could also start to lighten the vaccination pass but keep it in places that are very at risk, such as nightclubs and there it would be until the end of March, the beginning of April”, added the minister.
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