The instructions are becoming more flexible, but not everywhere. If the mask will no longer be compulsory in transport from Monday May 16, everything is not going back to normal in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic. “Every quarter of an hour in France, a patient returns to intensive care”, recalled Wednesday, May 11 the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran. As for the number of new cases, the decline continues, but there are still more than 36,000 new daily contaminations in France. According to the authorities, this situation justifies the retention of a handful of health restrictions, which Franceinfo summarizes for you.
You still have to wear a mask and present a health pass in health establishments
No entry into hospitals, clinics or medical laboratories is possible without first putting on a mask that covers the mouth and nose. The health authorities recall that FFP2/FFP3 masks, surgical masks and surgical masks are authorized, excluding fabric masks.
In addition, the health pass remains compulsory to access hospitals, retirement homes, but also to enter establishments welcoming adults with disabilities. As a reminder, the health pass can be activated by means of a certification of complete vaccination, a negative test or proof of recovery from Covid-19. Important clarification: this obligation cannot prevent patients from having access to care.
Isolation remains mandatory for people who test positive
Olivier Véran reminded him, an isolation “of at least seven days” must be respected by anyone who tests positive for Covid-19. The recommendations of the health authorities do not change either concerning the relatives and the entourage: “The infected person must, as far as possible, inform them of his status as a positive case”recalled the Ministry of Health in March, when the vaccination pass was lifted.
However, after five days, an infected person can break their isolation on two conditions: a negative PCR or antigen test and the absence of clinical signs of infection for 48 hours.
Some professionals must be vaccinated to be able to work
The vaccination obligation remains in force in several professions in direct or indirect contact with people at risk. This is the case for professionals in the health sector, but also for those who exercise in the same premises, the professions of medical transport, the medico-social sector or even for firefighters, as listed by the Ministry of Health. Without proof of a complete vaccination schedule, these professionals are not allowed to work and risk a layoff with suspension of salary – a rule in place since September 15, 2021.
You will have to wear a mask for some trips abroad
Please note that the end of the obligation to wear a mask in transport does not apply to all countries. Many governments, including in Europe, still impose it inside, in trains, buses and metros in particular. But if you travel to Europe by plane, you may soon drop the mask, because the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced on Wednesday that this restriction will no longer apply to air travel within the EU (press release in English) from May 16.
For travel to and from countries outside the EU, EASA specifies that the rules regarding the wearing of a mask may vary and will be communicated by the airlines. For example, passengers on a flight to Thailand, where the aviation gendarme imposes the wearing of a mask on board, will have to comply with this rule.
While scientists remain divided regarding the evolution of the pandemic in the coming months, Olivier Véran has warned that health restrictions could soon evolve. Particularly with the appearance of new variants, which would raise “the question of a vaccine booster next fall, if ever a wave were to emerge”he said on Wednesday at the end of the Council of Ministers.