This August 1st is the end of the state of health emergency, and therefore the official end of the health pass and most of the measures related to Covid. The bill approved by Parliament simply provides the possibility of mandatory testing at borders in the event of the appearance of a particularly dangerous variant in a foreign country, or for overseas travel in the event of a risk of hospital saturation.
Health facility officials may decide to maintain the mask requirement
But in fact, if you will no longer be asked to present a QR Code at the entrance to hospitals, wearing a mask is still required in certain cases, particularly in health establishments. It can always be imposed, in hospitals, therefore, but also in nursing homes, medical offices, pharmacies, or even analysis laboratories.
It is the managers of the structures who decide, and in Alsace, they have often chosen to maintain it. This is the case for example in the establishments of the university hospitals of Strasbourg or even to Pasteur hospital in Colmaror in EHPADs managed by Abrapain particular, with regard to visitors and staff.
The mask still compulsory on the plane to and from Germany
Also, be careful during this holiday season. If wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in transport in France since May, with regard to the plane, some countries, including in the European Union, still impose it. This is the case, for example, of flights to and from Germany.
The campaign for the second booster dose
With regard to vaccination, if you are over 60, or at risk, living with someone at risk, or pregnant, you can have a second booster dose. In Alsace, the campaign for this second dose is off to a good start, but many slots are available.
The idea, even if the acute crisis is over, is to continue to be cautious, already because the virus continues to kill, and also because new variants could emerge in the fall. For doctors, this seventh wave is not the last.