Paris, Jan. 17 (BNA): France’s parliament approved stricter access restrictions for people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 on Sunday, as officials try to contain the fifth wave of cases.
German news agency (dpa) reported that the law states that unvaccinated people aged 16 or over will not be able to access restaurants, cultural institutions and long-distance transportation.
In the National Assembly, 215 deputies spoke in favor of tighter restrictions, 58 voted against and seven abstained.
The French government wants to provide more incentives for people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, with infection numbers rising.
The new rule means that a negative test alone will not be enough for people to get to many places. Instead, people must show evidence of recovery or vaccination.
Originally, the regulation was scheduled to go into effect on January 15. However, due to heated debate in the National Assembly and between the two chambers of Parliament, he delayed the move.
It is still not clear when exactly the amendment will enter into force. Some members of parliament said they would appeal to the Constitutional Council over the text.
In recent weeks, French infection numbers have risen rapidly. Recently, the recorded number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants nationwide was around 2,829 within one week.
About 54,000 people took to the streets on Saturday to protest the planned restrictions and government policy on the Covid-19 virus.
MI