Significant changes in daily life. A further relaxation of health restrictions to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic is due to come into force on Monday, February 28. Wearing a mask, test protocol … Franceinfo takes stock of the news.
The mask is no longer mandatory in places not subject to the vaccination pass
From Monday, the mask will no longer be compulsory in places requiring a vaccination pass. Clearly, it will no longer be imposed in museums, cinemas, restaurants. It will remain compulsory at work, in shops, administrations, public services and transport.
Only one test is necessary for vaccinated contact cases
From Monday, only one test becomes necessary (self-test, PCR or antigenic) two days after being declared a contact case, for vaccinated people. We had to do three so far. If the self-test is positive, an antigen test or PCR is necessary to confirm the result.
The duration of isolation remains unchanged in the event of a positive test: positive people with a complete vaccination schedule and positive children under the age of 12, regardless of their vaccination status, must strictly isolate themselves for seven full days after the date the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test (result). On the fifth day, they can perform an antigen test or an RT-PCR test. If the test is negative and in the absence of symptoms for 48 hours, it is possible to end the isolation after these 5 days. If the test is positive or in the absence of a test, isolation must be continued until the 7th day, with no new test to be carried out on leaving isolation.
The protocol is lowered to level 2 in schools
After zone B, the constraints ease for zone A, back from vacation. The protocol in schools goes to level 2 there, as announced by the Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, on February 11. This makes it possible to remove the mask during recess and allows more mixing between students of the same level. However, wearing a mask will remain compulsory inside for staff and students aged 6 and over.
A child declared a contact case will only have to do one screening test (PCR, antigen or self-test), two days later, before being able to return to class if he is negative. These measures are justified, according to the government and the High Council for Public Health (HCSP), by the decline in the epidemic and the constant drop in the number of hospitalizations since the peak reached at the end of January. In the event of a positive self-test, a PCR or confirmation antigen must be carried out.