France pulls out the big guns!

[NotPregnantJustChubs]

I live in France and Macron has just made a speech saying that from the end of July, vaccination or a negative test is going to be compulsory for cultural and entertainment venues. From August, it’ll be compulsory for cafes and restaurants too. This applies to all 12+.

PCR tests will become paid as of September, to encourage vaccination.

I’m already vaccinated, thankfully, and I do think it’s necessary to contain the delta variant. But wowza, I’m waiting to hear the backlash in the morning. Macron is up for reelection next year as well, they must be very desperate to contain this…

Similar was announced in Ireland a few days ago

Well, I'm glad I am not in France then.

Interesting

Can't see the problem really but I'm very pro vaccine.

Not the payment for tests, just the hospitality sector stuff

What's the vaccine take up like in France?
It's a bold move, stick rather than carrot.

www.euronews.com/amp/2021/07/12/france-moves-to-restrict-restaurants-to-those-vaccinated-or-testing-negative-for-covid-19

Well done. Shows leadership

I think this is a high risk strategy in a population as vaccine-sceptical as France's (the most so in Europe). There's every chance it'll make anti-vaxxers more entrenched and numerous, and that might end up not only damaging the rollout of this vaccine but of vaccinations more generally. The worst thing would be if there was another concern over safety - even if, like the AZ one, it was actually a very low risk - with a vaccine that people were 'forced' to take; that could wreck public confidence in all vaccinations for generations.

I would rather it was free tests for everyone, vaccinated or not. Unvaccinated are not rabid Covid carriers, and the vaccinated are not 100% free from Covid.
Having to pay for tests as a way to encourage vaccine take up wont suddenly make the anxieties of hesitant people disappear. Address the reasons for hesitancy.

You're right. Unfortunately, I think that may be what it takes to get delta in control and get on with our lives without this constant yo yoing of restrictions and narrative.

That is a big call for Macron.

I also think it may turn out to be pretty pointless in a few months. Delta and antibody waning mean plenty of double vaccinated people will be susceptible whatever. Very interesting data coming out of Israel right now that’s showing a correlation between infections and time of vaccination. Six months and Pfizer is losing steam.

www.timesofisrael.com/data-appears-to-indicate-covid-vaccine-protection-starts-fading-after-6-months/

I think many countries including England will do this

@Hardbackwriter

I think this is a high risk strategy in a population as vaccine-sceptical as France's (the most so in Europe). There's every chance it'll make anti-vaxxers more entrenched and numerous, and that might end up not only damaging the rollout of this vaccine but of vaccinations more generally. The worst thing would be if there was another concern over safety - even if, like the AZ one, it was actually a very low risk - with a vaccine that people were 'forced' to take; that could wreck public confidence in all vaccinations for generations.

Doctolib has crashed with so many french trying to book vaccines tonight. The stick seems to be working. Remember it's August holiday coming up when the French population put down tools for a month!

Similar here in Portugal, started last week. At weekends, negative test or vaccine certificate needed to stay at a hotel or to sit inside a restaurant..v bizarre

I'm double vaccinated and tested positive last week so i'm not sure I'd be happy to have to pay for a pcr; that may just stop me having one and therefore I'd pass on the virus so makes no sense

@HalzTangz

I think many countries including England will do this

If it does, I would happily go on the next trip to inner space that Richard Branson recently went on, open the door and leap out of it.

We will be wearing red handmaid robes next.

@IRanSoFarAway1

I'm vaccinated

I've always said I won't go anywhere this is a requirement

I'm worried it will extend to the Tube....I really hope that's just impossible

Appalling precedent to set

Abortion bans incoming I'm sure.

Abortion bans? What??

I live in France too and I'm happy about this. Too many idiots believing the fake news on SM need to see that their actions have consequences.

@septemberismyfavouritemonth

I'm double vaccinated and tested positive last week so i'm not sure I'd be happy to have to pay for a pcr; that may just stop me having one and therefore I'd pass on the virus so makes no sense

The test will still be free if you're having symptoms or have been a contact case, just not if you're only having it because you want to go to a restaurant or concert.

I agree in principle for vaccination/test for venues over a certain size, but don't agree with making people pay for pcrs in order to "encourage" vaccination. That's very off.

What an incredibly flawed and short-sighted plan.

@Melitza that's really good news. I do think it's high risk but that's not necessarily to say it's the wrong risk to take at this point. I hope it isn't.

This has been the case in Germany since April. Also in non-essential shops and zoos, aquarium, other entertainment… Tests need to be less than 24 hours old so at one point I was testing every day (home LFTs not valid).

It works really well I must say, they are super quick checking the test result/Covid pass, and you can add them to an app so you don’t depend on data or wifi.

If it applies to over 12s, are they able to get the vaccine?

@EileenGC

This has been the case in Germany since April. Also in non-essential shops and zoos, aquarium, other entertainment… Tests need to be less than 24 hours old so at one point I was testing every day (home LFTs not valid).

It works really well I must say, they are super quick checking the test result/Covid pass, and you can add them to an app so you don’t depend on data or wifi.

What format is this Covid pass? Not everyone has a smartphone.