Paris, Jan. 4 (BNA): French government officials on Tuesday pledged to enact a law by mid-January as planned to ban unvaccinated people from hospitality venues, even though the legislation caused a procedural hurdle in Parliament overnight.
European Affairs Minister Clement Bonn told LCI TV that “January 15 is still our target” for the law that comes into force.
So far, France has imposed a health clearance for COVID-19, which means that in order to get to restaurants, cafes, cinemas or trains, people either need to show a new negative test or evidence of vaccination.
The legislation would remove the option to show a negative test, effectively banning unvaccinated people from guesthouses or trains.
It has faced fierce resistance from anti-vaccination activists and far-right and far-left groups, but it has the support of the government, which has a majority in Parliament.
Tense discussions in parliament on the new law came to a halt after midnight on Monday after a majority of MPs voted to suspend the session. Surprised, pro-government lawmakers were not present in the room in sufficient numbers to block the proposal.
Annie Ginevard, deputy speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, said the heads of the various parliamentary blocs must now set a new date for the resumption of discussions.
Once voted in the House of Representatives, the new law must be voted on by the Senate, before it goes into effect on January 15.
“The Minister of Relations with Parliament and members of Parliament will discuss the timetable today. We can meet in the National Assembly and Parliament over the weekend to hurry up. We need to move quickly,” Byon said.
The proposed toughening of the rules has angered anti-vaccination activists. Some lawmakers who supported the measure say they have been subjected to aggression, including vandalism and violent threats.
AOQ