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…

It was rumoured he was going to announce mandatory vaccination for public workers. Sounds like he backed down, probably for the best. 😂

@theemmadilemma Actually that is partially happening. From 15 September, it will be obligatory for all care workers. There have already been concerns expressed that this will cause a serious problem of understaffing, as it's a sector that already struggles to attract and keep workers.

@LittleRed53 They are having a vote on that in the UK today.

Yes, vaccination has been open for 12-17 yr olds in France since 15 June. It’s a really tight margin to get them double vaxxed for the start of August though, even if you are willing to do so. The weak link here is the booking system - regularly gets overwhelmed and it’s very hard to get a rdv. I saw a screenshot from Doctolib (booking system) saying there was a waiting time of 2486 minutes to access the site last night! 20,000 rdv being made each minute after the speech.

Tests are not going to be «paid for» as such. If you have symptoms, you contact your dr and get a prescription, then the costs will be reimbursed. It just means people can’t rely on popping into the pharmacy for an antigen test before they go out for the evening or off to visit granny without stumping up €29 for an antigen /€49 for a PCR test.

I’m in favour - bien joué Macron.

@EileenGC

Charging for tests definitely isn’t on. I’m now afraid Germany will follow France’s lead and start charging for tests in autumn, once everyone has had plenty of time to get jabbed.

I’ll be fully vaccinated end of this week, but I work in one of the above mentioned industries, and I’m concerned about some of my colleagues who have decided they don’t want the jab. Will they not be allowed to come to work? It’s worrying.

I though they were thinking about charging for lateral flow tests in the UK as weoll. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/covid-lateral-flow-test-charged-b1879797.html

I agree with it, I have read numerous articles that say the french generally are not very keen to be vaccinated.

I hope they do it here, the on,y exemption being a medical one.

That buggers up any thoughts of rebooking our France holiday next spring then. Unless we leave the 13 and 16 year old loitering on the pavement, while us and the 11 year old wave at them from inside the coffee shop.

Fantastic and the anti vaxers can do one!

Macron is a globalist who is trying scare tactics to encourage people to be vaccinated. He is threatening compulsory vaccination for all, whereas he know full well this is impossible while the vaccination is still in trial phase (and will be until 2023). Access to healthcare will also be restricted to those with the 'passe sanitaire' and Macron is threatening to widen restrictions in September.
I hope there will be a huge backlash to this dictatorship.

In theory, I'm in agreement with a strong, decisive action like this. In reality, there's a few issues that make it questionable.

Firstly, is there a plan for those who have a medical exemption for vaccination? I don't mean those who have said "Oh, I get a tummy ache when I eat strawberries, I shouldn't have the vaccine", but those who can get certification from a medical professional that they are advised against it.

2. How much are these tests going to cost? Is there a back up plan for those whose results don't come through within the 24 hours or lost in the system? Do they get refunded the costs?

3. what's the date showing exactly how much protection the vaccinations actually give? Aren't we seeing a large increase of double vaccinated people testing positive? Then why is this given the same level of assumed protection as a recent negative test?

4. Visitors from other countries if/when allowed. Its all very well saying "oh you can give proof of vaccination either with your vaccination booklet or code on the app, but not all countries give this evidence. (This one is also for Boris) I'm in Scotland, and we were given nothing to show we'd had the vaccination, and we don't use the NHS app, so can't show that either. Are we just not welcome any longer? Is France joining England on the list of countries that no longer want our contribution to their economy?

And of course

5. children from other countries who have not yet been offered the vaccination.

Fir those who say this is strong snd decisive -this is Macron trying to look strong and decisive ahead of the elections next year.
People who know nothing about the venality of European politics lauding Anything But England.
Macron spent most of his airtime last night on a party political broadcast bigging up his government’s ‘achievements’ when his popularity is do low his party tool a massive in May with the republicans in the ascendancy. So it is a populist last ditch approach to get votes at e the expense (as always) of thé poorest.

Monsieur Macron's plans are not perfect, but better than those for England. The French President also sacked his Prime Minister and replaced him given a poor response in March 2020 to the virus, compared with the UK where no minister or advisor was sacked for any part of their response or behaviour (remember Dominic Cummings/Robert Jenrick, and Matt Hancock resigned).

Monsieur Macron is facing a challenge from the party of Nicolas Sarkozy (Republicains) whose preferred candidate is not too far behind in opinion polls.

I’m curious about what happens with those who have been vaccinated but with one of the non-European vaccines such as Sputnik or Sinopharm. I know quite a few who have had these vaccines.

@DumplingsAndStew

And of course

5. children from other countries who have not yet been offered the vaccination.

I hope that as more countries that adopt rules like this, the same vaccination clinics that offer yellow-fever and malaria vaccination for travellers will start to offer covid vaccines for 12-17 year olds. I believe that in the UK the Pfizer vaccine has been approved as safe and effective for 12-17 year olds but the government has decided that for the time being the balance of risks vs costs doesn't justify including this age group in the mass population vaccine programme. That's fair enough but as soon as vaccine supplies exist in quantities that allow a portion to be ethically made available to the private sector, I want the option to choose to pay for the vaccine for my 12-17yo DC if I choose to do so. Having the market pressure for that, from the situation of it being highly desirable for family overseas holidays, seems like a very good thing to me so long as fulfilling that market opportunity doesn't take vaccine away from vulnerable people anywhere else.

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Fir those who say this is strong snd decisive -this is Macron trying to look strong and decisive ahead of the elections next year. People who know nothing about the venality of European politics lauding Anything But England. Macron spent most of his airtime last night on a party political broadcast bigging up his government’s ‘achievements’ when his popularity is do low his party tool a massive in May with the republicans in the ascendancy. So it is a populist last ditch approach to get votes at e the expense (as always) of thé poorest.

I was the one who used the term "strong and decisive", and also make it clear in my post that I am from, and based in, Scotland. How does this fit with your "Anywhere but England" judgement?!

I didn't watch the "party political broadcast" you refer to. I am commenting solely on the linked article in this thread.

@KihoBebiluPute

I agree that vaccinations for vulnerable 12-17 years old should be available to those who want them.
I'm not sure I agree with paying for them, tbh, as those who have medically vulnerable children are often also those who can't work paid employment, and are dependent on the likes of Carers Allowance and therefore often the cohort less able to pay for private healthcare.

@HalzTangz

I think many countries including England will do this

UK can't, no ID card, so proof is on a phone, which many do not have.

I think its an excellent idea to allow opening up of hospitality... for France.

@jasjas1973

UK can't, no ID card, so proof is on a phone, which many do not have.

As said, many times, including in this thread - the UK don't have proof on a phone. Those in England, whose surgery have registered for it, have proof on a phone.

@beentoldcomputersaysno

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.

I think where a test is needed to do something socially then a charge should apply. Different to testing for work or a medical appointment.

@newnortherner111

Monsieur Macron is facing a challenge from the party of Nicolas Sarkozy (Republicains) whose preferred candidate is not too far behind in opinion polls.

True..but TBF I don’t think a politician taking at least some domestic political considerations into account when pitching their response to the Covid pandemic is something unique to mainland Europe..

BTW with regard to some comments about the efficacy of the vaccine decaying over time he did announce that “boosters” for those vaccinated right at the start of the national campaign would start to become available in the autumn.

@newnortherner111

Eduard Philippe former PM wasn't sacked for badly managing the crisis. He resigned because he wanted to be mayor of Le Havre
IIRC his popularity with the French went up between March and July 2020.

I think negative tests and vaccine proof are very good ideas for big events. I want to go to concerts and theatres and would far rather they were open on the proviso visitors don't currently have the disease than closed or at 1/4 capacity with no atmosphere.

My 15&16 yo were double vaccinated in France last week. And are now in Tunisia with Mamie.

Depends where you are perhaps but we managed to get 2nd doses exactly 3 weeks after 1st.

We are desperate to see our family in the uk.

It's not just France as others have said its quite a few now. Ultimately tbe anti vaxers have brought this on its not surprise. It will be here soon.