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France on Monday mapped out a sequence of tougher measures to attempt to stem the unfold of the Omicron variant of coronavirus from the brand new yr, whereas Britain held again from asserting any new restrictions.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex informed a press conference that residence working can be “obligatory” from early January and that enormous gatherings can be restricted.
The federal government made a legislative proposal which is able to, from January 15, restrict entry to locations akin to bars, eating places and trains for unvaccinated individuals. It is a marked toughening of the present guidelines, below which unvaccinated individuals can present a damaging PCR or antigen check to achieve admission.
The French intention is to push individuals to get jabbed. Not being vaccinated “is a deliberate act of endangering others, no private conviction can justify this,” Castex stated, including that he wished the authorities to “penalize extra severely” these utilizing pretend COVID-19 passes.
Greater than 500,000 individuals signed a petition forward of Monday’s cupboard assembly protesting towards this authorities’s proposal to harden the foundations for the COVID-19 go.
Castex additionally stated that “from tomorrow morning, following the advice of the Nationwide Authority for Well being, you’ll solely want to attend three months earlier than getting a booster shot.”
In distinction to the French place, U.Okay. Well being Minister Sajid Javid urged warning however dominated out asserting extra measures till 2022. “Once we get into the brand new yr, in fact we are going to see then whether or not we do have to take any additional measures however nothing extra till then at the least,” he stated in remarks carried by British broadcasters.
In France, the federal government determined that from subsequent Monday massive gatherings will likely be restricted to 2,000 individuals indoors and 5,000 open air, and that concert events the place individuals are standing up will likely be banned in an try and gradual the unfold of COVID-19 infections, which have surged previously weeks.
Castex added that the consumption of meals and drinks in sporting and cultural venues, like cinemas, will likely be prohibited; and can solely be potential in bars and eating places if individuals stay seated.
From January 3, “and for a interval of three weeks,” working from residence will likely be made obligatory, Castex stated, including that that meant “a minimal of three days or 4 days, if potential.”
The federal government additionally proposed reinstating carrying masks open air in metropolis facilities. Nonetheless, it didn’t put in place a curfew for New Yr’s Eve nor did it postpone the return to high school, which is scheduled on January 3.
The Omicron variant “will lead us to regulate the foundations on the period of the quarantine,” Castex stated, including that these rule revisions will likely be introduced on Friday.
The variety of constructive COVID-19 instances has by no means been so excessive in France for the reason that begin of the pandemic final yr, reaching 1,037 new instances per million on Sunday. A complete of 72.7 p.c of the French inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated, as of December 23.
The draft laws setting the brand new guidelines, which is topic to vary, will likely be mentioned by France’s decrease parliamentary chamber — the Nationwide Meeting — subsequent week and is predicted to enter into drive on January 15.
This text is a part of POLITICO’s premium coverage service: Professional Well being Care. From drug pricing, EMA, vaccines, pharma and extra, our specialised journalists hold you on high of the matters driving the well being care coverage agenda. E-mail [email protected] for a complimentary trial.
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