The day following Emmanuel Macron’s speech, Prime Minister Jean Castex was the guest of the 1 p.m. newspaper on TF1 this Thursday. The opportunity for him to provide details on the measures in response to the war in Ukraine, but also (and above all) to reveal the timetable for lifting the latest restrictions linked to the Covid pandemic, and in particular the vaccination pass. . Here’s everything you need to remember.
“Suspension” of the vaccination pass
Until then, the government mentioned the deadline of “mid-March” to end the vaccination pass. It will be precisely March 14, announced Jean Castex, referring to a “suspension”. The decision was taken, Wednesday morning, in the Health Defense Council, while the epidemic is in very marked decline.
Olivier Véran had announced several thresholds to allow this relief, in particular to go back below 1,500 Covid patients in critical care and below 500 for the incidence rate. As of March 2, we are, respectively, at 2,329 and 585. At the current rate of decline, we would still be above 1,500 Covid patients in critical care on March 14 (around 1,700 more precisely).
The health pass will however remain in force in health establishments and nursing homes, said the Prime Minister.
End of indoor mask
Another relief expected by many French people: the possibility of dropping the mask indoors, once more from March 14. This particularly concerns places of worship, shops, classrooms, and businesses. On the other hand, it will remain compulsory in transport and medical establishments, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Since Monday, February 28, the mask is no longer compulsory in all places subject to the vaccination pass (except long-term transport): theater, cinema, sports hall, restaurants, etc.
Economic support
On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron announced a “resilience plan” for the French economy, to enable it to cope with the consequences of the war in Ukraine. “Economic sectors are suffering and will suffer,” warned the head of state, soon to be officially a candidate for a new term. With regard to purchasing power, the government is seeking in particular to compensate for the surge in prices at the pump.
Jean Castex wants to “protect our fellow citizens”. The sectors concerned are precisely identified, but the impact of the sanctions will be assessed. He will receive “all the sectors concerned” and “probably the social partners” at the beginning of next week.
“Indispensable” diplomatic exchanges
On the diplomatic level, exchanges are continuing and “it is essential”, insisted Jean Castex, referring to the bombardments which once more hit several Ukrainian cities during the night from Wednesday to Thursday. Emmanuel Macron once more exchanged this Thursday morning, for an hour and a half, with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister assured that France, and even the whole of Europe, will stand in solidarity to welcome Ukrainian refugees. “France is ready to accept it,” he said.
