No Covid health card required at school, according to French Minister of Education

A vaccination campaign in middle and high schools will begin in September for students over 12 who want it but “there will be no health pass at school” announced Sunday the Ministry of National Education.

“The school must remain accessible to all, which is why there will be no compulsory health card”, declared the French Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, in an interview with the weekly Journal Sunday (JDD).

“This has been our philosophy since the start of the crisis.”

For teachers, Blanquer judged “neither legitimate, nor desirable, nor useful” to require a health pass, preferring to rely on “a logic of trust and responsibility”.

He outlined the health protocol for the start of the school year on September 2, described as “level 2”.

Classes will take place on site in schools, colleges and high schools. Wearing a mask will be compulsory indoors from primary school, with a limited mix of groups and reinforced ventilation.

“In all high schools in France, students and staff will have access to the vaccine, near or within their establishment,” said Blanquer.

About 55% of 12-17 year olds have already received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine since this summer.

No compulsory health card for teachers

In the event of contamination in a classroom, the seven-day isolation period will not be required for vaccinated students, “the same rule as for the rest of the population,” said the minister.

In primary schools, children are not of age to be vaccinated, the rule remains that the entire class will be closed for seven days.

In order to protect medical confidentiality, the pupil’s vaccination status will be communicated on the basis of a certificate of vaccination from the parents.

“Parents are free not to say whether their child is vaccinated or not, but it is their individual responsibility and will determine whether the contact student can be isolated or continue to attend classes,” said the minister.

For school trips, students will not be asked for a health passport in places where they are not mixed with the public (swimming pools or libraries).

However, from September 30, they will be asked for a health subscription from the age of 12 in places where it is mandatory.