France Implements COVID-19 Vaccine Pass Cards Until Hospital ICU Returns To Normal

Illustration of COVID-19 in France. (Wikimedia Commons/Bruno Barral)

JAKARTA - France will keep its COVID-19 vaccine pass in place until hospital ICUs can function normally, without canceling non-emergency procedures to make room for COVID-19 patients in intensive care, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Wednesday.

The government says vaccine permits help curb the spread of the coronavirus, encourage more people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, relieve pressure on hospitals.

"When we have vacated the intensive care unit, or at least when there are no further cancellations of procedures and if no new variants are circulating, then the usefulness of the vaccine license will be a matter of debate," Minister Veran told BFM TV.

France is still a long way from that point, with 3,700 COVID patients in intensive care, Minister Veran said, suggesting the number will need to be brought down to around 1,000 patients before vaccine clearance rules can be scrapped.

"In August we were at 1,000-1,200 and our hospital was functioning normally. This is a very necessary condition," said Minister Veran.

To note, from mid-January 2022, people in France must show proof of vaccination to enter bars, restaurants, cinemas, and other public places. Previously, there was also the option of showing a negative COVID test or evidence of recent infection.

However, critics say implementing the vaccine pass provisions violates civil liberties, while some people took to the streets in protest.

Asked whether France would need a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, Minister Veran said it would depend on whether there were further mutations of the virus.