France decided to extend the “health pass,” which covers activities such as going to restaurants and cafes, traveling by long-distance train and visiting hospitals, went into effect after protests over the weekend.
As the Guardian reports, from July 21, everyone who goes to the cinema, theater or museum will need a digital certificate. The government announced that customers and businesses will be given a one-week grace period to implement the new rules before fines are introduced for those who do not comply with the rules.
Official figures show that over 237,000 people across France protested the measures over the weekend, claiming that the “health pass” violates their civil liberties.
In turn, Health Minister Olivier Veran said that the measure would help prevent the adoption of others that would further restrict the freedom of the population, such as a curfew. Veran explained that the rules will not be adopted until November. “This is a way to motivate people to get vaccinated,” admitted the French Minister of Health.
Veran said France is on track to reach its goal of vaccinating at least 50 million people with at least one dose by the end of the month, representing 85% of the population eligible for vaccination.
When asked about the protests, the minister said he regretted the attention paid to those who oppose science and the state. “Regardless of the number of demonstrators, this will be less than the number of vaccinated French. On Saturday they presented a double, ”Veran emphasized.
