Today, March 14, France has lifted the obligation to be vaccinated in order to access most venues and events in the country, upon an evaluation that the Coronavirus situation permits for such a step to be taken.
The move was announced ten days ago in a press release issued by the French government, which also revealed that the obligation to carry a mask in most places in France would also be lifted from March 14.
“After a fifth wave of COVID-19 of unprecedented magnitude, the health situation has improved markedly for several weeks. In particular, the pressure weighing on hospitals due to the epidemic is greatly reduced, allowing the lifting of white plans and a gradual resumption of scheduled activities,” the government noted in its announcement.
The same points out that the relaxation of these measures is in line with the strategy of the government to keep effective only the necessary measures in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and abolish those without any noticeable effect.
Thus, starting from today, March 14, places and events like restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, performance halls, stadiums, fairs and exhibitions, interregional transport, etc., can be accessed without proof of vaccination.
The move will, amongst others, enable professional tennis player Novak Djokovic to defend the Ronald Garros title at the French Open, which is set to be held from May 22 to June 5. Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, has previously shared his position to risk not participating in the tournament and remain unvaccinated, claiming it is a “price that I’m willing to pay”.
The requirement will, however, remain effective in places like hospitals, retirement homes, and establishments for the disabled in order to continue protecting the most vulnerable from the virus.
“When we have emptied intensive care units, or at least (…) when there is no further cancellation of procedures and if no new variant is in circulation, then the utility of the vaccine pass will be debatable,” French Health Minister Olivier Véran had said at the beginning of the month regarding the removal of the health pass requirement for access in these places, in an interview for BFM TV.
The obligation to wear a mask, which has already been abolished for outdoor spaces since February 28, has also been lifted today. The obligation will remain effective only for public transport until further notice.
On March 3, SchengenVisaInfo.com also reported that the French authorities had expanded the green list of countries in order to permit more travellers to enter France restriction-free. The countries added to the list are Angola, Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Travellers from the green list can enter France without being subject to any restrictions even if they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
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