After a new health defense council on Monday, Prime Minister Jean Castex and Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced new measures to curb the fifth wave of Covid-19.
“The virus is circulating quickly” and “in all territories and all categories of the population”, confirmed Jean Castex, referring to the some 50,000 cases of Covid-19 detected every day.
The Prime Minister also alerted the public to the situation in hospitals which “are starting to build up pressure”.
However, the situation is not the same as a year ago thanks to the “game-changer” vaccination.
Faced with the fifth wave, Jean Castex ruled out any confinement, curfew or the installation of gauges, measures which would be “disproportionate”. It is therefore a strengthening of the measures already in force that was decided on Monday evening.
Protocol 3 in schools
Jean Castex announced the passage of health protocol in schools at level 3. This requires the wearing of a mask for all students, from primary to high school, students to staff, inside but also outside (which was not the case before).
From kindergarten to primary, students will now have to stay grouped by class to eat in the canteen, and the tables are disinfected after each meal.
Extension of teleworking
The government encourages companies to respect two or three days of teleworking per week. For the civil service, the target is set at three days.
Small gatherings, closed discos
Jean Castex encouraged limiting meetings before the holidays, whether in the private sphere or at work.
For outdoor gatherings, the establishment of the health pass may be decided by the prefects.
Nightclubs, considered places at risk from the point of view of viral transmission, will be closed for four weeks from Friday.
Facilitated vaccination
Unvaccinated people or people aged 65 and over can be vaccinated without an appointment “regardless of the center”, explained Jean Castex.
The Minister of Health Olivier Véran also announced the vaccination of the most fragile children (5-11 years) from December 15.