Anger at drastic new Covid rules in France

The stage is set for a confrontation between the French president and an increasingly vocal number of dissidents who say the new “dictatorial” measures against coronaviruses that will come into force soon will erode individual freedoms and discriminate against those who choose not to. to get vaccinated.

More than 20,000 people flocked to cities across the country on Bastille Day to denounce a bill that will force healthcare workers to get vaccinated – or lose their jobs – and issue “medical passes.” health ”Covid-19 a requirement in many public places.

From July 21, only people who have been vaccinated or have a recent negative PCR test will be allowed access to large venues such as theaters, cinemas and amusement parks.

From August, this same rule will be rolled out in cafes, restaurants, trains, planes and buses.

The law, which will be considered by Parliament on Wednesday July 21, also provides for a 10-day legal quarantine period for anyone who tests positive for Covid.

By chanting “down with the dictatorship” and “down with the health pass”, tens of thousands of people – many of whom identify themselves as yellow vests – took part in hundreds of demonstrations on Wednesday.

Some gatherings were declared, while others erupted organically on the sidelines of the July 14 festivities. Several were dispersed by the police with tear gas.

“The health pass is segregation,” Yann Fontaine, 29, told AFP at the Paris demonstration.

“Macron is playing on fears, it’s revolting. I know people who will get vaccinated just to be able to take their children to the movies – not to protect others from serious forms of Covid.”

workers’ revolt

Dissent has been brewing since Emmanuel Macron announced the wave of new rules on Monday – especially from exasperated and furious health professionals posting their testimonies on social media.

In what could be the foundations of a popular movement, they argue that they are victims while they have been on the front line of the health crisis from the start.

Some staff members remain opposed to the vaccination, even though they know it will put them out of work by September. They warn that if enough health workers unite to refuse the vaccine, the health system itself will collapse.

“They say they are going to take away our wages and have even threatened us with jail if we do not get vaccinated,” said a nurse – who has resigned from her job – in a video posted on social media that accounts for it. over half a million. love”.

“You realize that if you remove the staff, the French health system will collapse. You will need to take care of yourself, take care of your own catheter and your own blood tests.

“And if your grandmother in a nursing home is afraid that people will not be vaccinated, you will end up being the one to take care of her because there will be no more nurses or caregivers to do it. . ”

Low vaccination rate

Recent figures from the national health agency Santé Publique France showed that less than 50 percent of staff in public hospitals, clinics and nursing homes were fully immunized.

This figure rises to almost 75 percent for private health workers.

Despite fierce opposition to the new covid restrictions, an Elabe poll released Tuesday found that a large majority – 76% – of French people actually supported mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers.