Jean Castex announced on Thursday March 3 the end of wearing a mask indoors and the suspension of the vaccination pass from March 14. But questions remain, especially around the tests since a health pass will be required in certain cases. We take stock.
A little freedom found on March 14. On March 3, the government decided to relax health measures in France. Invited to the TF1 1 p.m. news set last Thursday, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced that the lifting of the vaccination pass and the wearing of the mask indoors would take place on Monday March 14. From this date, it will therefore be possible to abandon your mask indoors and no longer present your vaccination pass wherever it is currently required (with a few exceptions).
Return of the health pass
The health pass is back, but not everywhere! This pass – which can be obtained with a vaccination certificate, a negative test result or a recovery certificate – will still be required to access certain places (from 12 years old): hospitals (except admission for emergency care) , retirement homes and establishments for people with disabilities “in order to protect the most fragile of our fellow citizens while the virus continues to circulate”, indicates the government.
No need to present a pass, whatever it is, to go to a restaurant, a café, a concert or even a nightclub.
What tests will be accepted to obtain a valid health pass?
The DGS tells our colleagues to RTL only PCR, antigen or self-tests under the supervision of a health professional allow you to obtain this health pass, even after March 14. Among other things, the screening conditions remain the same as those we know today.
How long will they remain valid?
From March 14, obtaining a health pass via a negative screening test will be reduced: 24 hours from the date of collection. If the person needs a health pass again after this time, they will have to take a new test, and it will be negative.
Will the tests be chargeable?
They will be for people whose vaccination schedule is not complete, indicates the ministry to our colleagues. Exception: “minors, with a contraindication to vaccination, identified in the context of contact-tracing carried out by Health Insurance or TousAntiCovid, concerned by collective screening campaigns – organized by the Regional Agencies of health or within national education establishments for example – presenting a medical prescription or having a certificate of recovery of less than six months “. The latter will therefore be able to benefit from the tests for free.
How much will the tests cost?
Since February 15, the prices of tests carried out in pharmacies have been lowered. People who are not fully vaccinated must pay €20 for an antigen test (compared to €25 previously), except for screenings carried out on Sundays or in pharmacies on duty. For a self-test sold in pharmacies, it costs €3.35 for an adult and €4.10 for a self-test intended for children. The prices of PCR tests carried out in the laboratory, meanwhile, remain unchanged: count 44 € for a so-called “comfort” test.
These prices are likely to drop again very soon. According to the site The pharmacist of France, a further reduction in the prices of self-tests and antigenic tests is expected for mid-March.
