While France has returned to a semblance of normal life in recent weeks, the Delta variant continues to worry the authorities. To the point that the government plans to harden its position on vaccination. The executive is preparing a bill to make it mandatory for caregivers, said a government source on Thursday confirming information from several regional press titles.
In recent days, the executive has put on the table such an obligation for the staff of nursing homes and hospitals, especially in the event that the target of 80% of vaccinated would not be reached “by September”. According to The Parisian, South West or Progress, this timetable could be brought forward after a broad consultation led by Prime Minister Jean Castex. A bill would then be examined in Parliament by the end of July or, more likely in view of the incompressible legal deadlines, in September.
“The possibility of an epidemic rebound at the start of the school year”
Prime Minister Jean Castex therefore sent a letter on Thursday requesting the opinion of associations of local elected representatives and presidents of parliamentary groups on the subject by next Tuesday. In this text, his fear is clearly expressed. “It is our responsibility to prepare the country for the possibility of an epidemic rebound at the start of the school year,” he wrote.
Noting that “the vaccination coverage of the nursing populations remains generally insufficient”, the head of government says he wants to open the “debate on the obligation”. “You will also indicate to me whether you consider that this obligation deserves to be extended more widely,” he adds. This possibility would be included in the bill, according to a government source.
Castex wants political consensus
Jean Castex also calls for “thinking about mechanisms to encourage vaccination” and the extension of the “field of application of the health pass”. Another question raised: should we introduce an obligation of isolation accompanied by sanctions?
The tone of the mail is therefore dramatized. Because if he has to make a difficult decision, Jean Castex absolutely wants to reach a political consensus, and obtain the support of the oppositions in this difficult turn.
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