France introduce new Covid pass as cases swell by 150 per cent

A new Covid health pass will be required to enter some venues, with lawmakers meeting to discuss its extension into August.

From Wednesday, people will need either proof of full vaccination, a negative test or evidence that you have recently recovered from the virus to enter most museums and cinemas.

It is being discussed whether this will be extended to restaurants, cafes and shopping malls.

The decision by France’s lawmakers comes amid the British governments decision to introduce vaccine passports from September.

Boris Johnson told a press conference on Monday “that by the end of September, when all over-18s will have had their chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.”

French Health Minister Oliver Veran announced yesterday 18,000 new infections in a 24-hour period.

Case numbers have risen 150 per cent on the same period last week.

“We have never seen this before,” he told the National Assembly, saying Delta had led to far larger rises in cases than previous variants.

President Macron had announced the plans earlier this month, in conjuncture with compulsory vaccination for all health workers by September. Evidence suggests that there is significant vaccine hesitancy across France.

Macron’s plans have been met by widespread protests in the country, with demonstrators vandalising two vaccination centres.