Paris : France’s government spokesman said Thursday that more than 1 million adults got their first COVID-19 vaccine shot over the past month, after the government announced a plan to exclude unvaccinated people from all restaurants, sports arenas and other venues.
The French parliament approved the new law over the weekend and the measure is expected to enter into force in the coming days, after the Constitutional Council releases its assessment on Friday, reports AP.
The so-called vaccine pass “is a new step in our strategy to encourage (vaccination) and ensure maximum protection. It is already producing its effects,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal said.
About 92% of French adults — over 48 million people — are already fully vaccinated, and 94% have received at least one shot.
In addition, the vaccine pass “helped very quickly the (COVID-19) booster campaign,” Attal added.
“France is now in the European leading group regarding its vaccination campaign,” he stressed.
The new law requires full vaccination to enter into restaurants and bars, cinemas, theatres and other leisure and sport facilities, and to take interregional trains and domestic flights.
It applies to everyone 16 and over. The government said some exceptions are planned for those who have recently recovered from COVID-19.
