The French government has announced that it will not ban its citizens from going on holiday to Spain or Portugal, although last week it advised against these destinations due to their epidemiological situation. Nevertheless, France has asked its citizens to be careful, especially in territories such as Catalonia where infection has been on the rise.
French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal remarked during a post-cabinet meeting press conference that the executive had ruled out "banning the French from going on holiday to Spain or Portugal". However, Attal called for caution when travelling, as in France "the fourth wave has already begun."
Focus on Catalonia
Gabriel Attal reminded French citizens who plan to travel this summer to take into account the danger of some areas, where new cases are soaring. He used the situation in Catalonia to exemplify the kind of territories that pose an extreme risk. "Obviously in certain countries or in certain territories of these countries where the epidemic is stronger, for example in Catalonia, where the incidence rate among young people is up to 1,000, special vigilance is required," said the spokesperson.
As the Catalan health minister, Josep Maria Argimon, declared yesterday, the data in Catalonia is "worse than terrible". In the last few hours, 8,585 new infections have been registered. Pressure on the health system is beginning to extend beyond primary care to affect inpatient beds and intensive care facilities. Yesterday, 1,058 patients were admitted to Catalan hospitals due to Covid. In addition, the total of Covid patients in ICUs has reached 209, a concerning figure as the fifth wave continues.
A group of people walk through Paris / Efe
New measures in the French state
France will not make vaccination mandatory, but is requiring its citizens to show a Covid Digital Certificate in order to enter restaurants or to travel. President Emmanuel Macron announced that the EU's "Covid-19 passport", a negative test result or a negative certificate proving that the person has had the virus will be required to access "cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, planes, trains and medical facilities" from August. The measure will begin to apply to nightclubs from July 21st, but for other spaces it will have to wait for the approval of specific legislation that will affect all those over the age of 12.
The measures Macron announced on Monday come in addition to the decision to charge for PCR tests starting in the autumn, unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Until now, the social security system reimbursed French citizens for Covid-19 tests. Macron justified the move to "encourage vaccination rather than multiply testing."
Main image: French president Emmanuel Macron during a speech dedicated to presenting new Covid mitigation measures / Efe