COVID “Health Pass” Approved by France’s Parliament
On May 12, 2021, the French National Assembly passed a bill approving the use of a COVID pass sanitaire or “health pass.” The pass, which would be in digital form or paper, would be required as of June 9 to prove an individual has either been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, recently tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 or has recovered from the virus as a prerequisite for attending certain sports and cultural events in France or leaving the country.1 2 3 4 5
The legislation, which was passed by the French Senate on May 18, includes language requiring the health pass to participate in events that draw more than 1,000 people. Reportedly, the pass sanitaire apparently would not apply to daily activities such as going to restaurants, movie theaters and museums, although Philippe Latombe, spokesperson for France’s centrist MODEM party, seems skeptical. According to Latombe,“There is a constitutional risk regarding the lack of clarity, a risk of appeals about gauges and the places included or not in the use of the pass.”1 5
In Israel, the government instituted a COVID “green pass” in February and it is required for entry into everything from cafes and theaters to gyms, swimming pools and hotels.6 7
“The health pass will allow us to reopen places welcoming the public, festivals and gatherings,” France’s Minister of Digital Affairs Cédric O said. “Without this health pass, we would have to wait much longer.” Prime Minister Jean Castex characterized the bill as “good news” because it means “we are moving towards the end” of restrictions.2
Health Pass: “Monstrous Apartheid Principle”
But despite passing by comfortable vote margins of 205-85 in the National Assembly and 221-102 in the Senate, the bill in France is controversial and has stirred up serious concerns on all sides of the political spectrum over the perceived violation of basic personal freedoms and the excessive degree of control it gives the government. National Assembly member Eric Coquerel of the leftist La France Insoumise party said:
We are told that this is a bill to manage the exit from this health crisis, but we have been given the most coercive control measure since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. They have opened Pandora’s box.1 5
Member of the European Parliament Florian Philippot of France’s right-wing Patriots party described the legislation as “monstrous apartheid principle.”1 He added:
Shame on the Senate for approving the health pass. The people will have to get rid of this tool of shame themselves.1
Health Passes Will Open Travel Within Europe
Implementation of the pass sanitaire is expected to coincide with the introduction of a COVID digital health pass or “green certificate” by the European Union (EU) in mid-June. “It will be ready for summer to facilitate safe travelling, so it will be ready to use by the end of June,” EU spokesperson Christian Wigand.8 9
The pass sanitaire will reportedly be recognized by all 27 EU member nations and can be used for travel within Europe beginning on June 17.10
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