The French Parliament definitively adopted on Sunday, by a last vote of the deputies, the bill establishing the vaccination pass, which the government wants to implement as quickly as possible in the face of the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic. The text was adopted by 215 votes to 58, with 7 abstentions. Socialist parliamentarians have planned to seize the Constitutional Council to guarantee respect for “fundamental freedoms”, which will postpone the promulgation of the bill for a few days.
While some 300,000 contaminations have been recorded daily on average for a week, the government hopes for the implementation of the vaccination pass around January 20.
What is the vaccination pass?
To obtain the new vaccination pass, you will need a complete schedule (two doses or just one, depending on the vaccine). From February 15, it will be necessary to carry out a booster dose four months – and no longer seven – following its second dose for the pass to remain valid.
In certain circumstances to be defined by decree, and in the name of “the interest of public health”, the combined presentation of proof of vaccination status and a negative test may be required.
Where will it be requested?
Concretely, there will now be a series of places where the vaccination pass will be required in places where the health pass was already required, namely:
- bars and restaurants
- leisure activities
- the fairs
- interregional public transport
In all of these places, a negative test will no longer suffice.
Places where the vaccination pass will not be requested:
A simple health pass (negative Covid test, certificate of complete vaccination or certificate of recovery) will remain valid for those over 12 in order to access health establishments and medico-social services, except in emergencies, whether for the sick or their companions.
Who will it apply to?
The new pass will only apply from the age of 16, minors aged 12 to 15 remaining subject to the obligation to present the current health pass.
What penalties in case of fraud?
In addition to the police, the managers of places and activities subject to the pass, such as cafeterias and restaurateurs, will be able to check these passes but under very supervised conditions. Thus, “when there are serious reasons to believe that the document presented is not related to the person who presents it”, it may be requested “an official document including his photograph”.
- Exchange: the fact of presenting a pass belonging to others and the fact of transmitting to others a pass with a view to its fraudulent use will be punished on the first breach with a fixed fine of 1,000 euros, once morest 135 euros currently.
- False pass: the possession itself of several false passes will be punished by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros.
- “Repentance”: under the condition of engaging in a vaccination course, there may be no penalty for false pass.
- The lack of control of the pass by the operator of an establishment open to the public will be liable from the first breach to a fine of 1,000 euros, once morest a sanction from the third breach currently.
