French court validates health pass but rejects obligatory quarantine

The law extending a Covid health pass (pass sanitaire) to various venues including restaurants and cafes has today (August 5) been approved by France’s highest constitutional authority, the Conseil constitutionnel.

It means that from Monday, August 9, everyone aged 18 and over will have to present a health pass to enter restaurants, cafes, bars (including outside dining areas and terraces), hospitals (in non-emergency situations), retirement homes, long-distance travel services (in non-emergency situations) and large shopping centres in situations where local authorities deem necessary.

A health pass, which is is proof of vaccination, proof of a negative Covid test taken within the past 48 hours, or proof of having been positive with Covid 11 days to six months before, is already required to enter museums, theatres, cinemas, public swimming pools and some other venues that can host over 50 people.

Children aged 12 - 17 will have to use the health pass from September 30.

The Conseil constitutionnel also approved the mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers and certain other professions.

However, it rejected the government’s proposal to make the 10-day quarantine period for people who test positive for Covid-19 mandatory. This will instead remain voluntary.

The council’s decision comes after French Parliament agreed to the extended use of the health pass on July 25.

The proposals have provoked protests for the past three weekends in France, with over 200,000 people gathering around the country last weekend.

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