The French Parliament Approves a Bill to End Health Passports and Other COVID-19 Exceptional Measures
The French Parliament approved a bill on Tuesday that ends health passport requirements and other exceptional COVID-19 measures such as quarantine or curfews, with reforms set to take effect from 1 August. The vote tally stood at 209 in favor, 30 against, and 104 abstentions, marking a clear majority for ending the broader emergency framework while keeping a few contingencies in play.
The text maintains a provisional clause through 31 March 2023, allowing the government to require citizens aged 12 and older to present a negative PCR test at international borders in the event of the emergence of a dangerous variant. This provision is described as a temporary safeguard and is expected to apply only if public health risk levels spike significantly. The same option is envisioned for overseas territories, but it would hinge on the local health situation, particularly during moments when hospital capacity is strained.
The bill also updates two operational mechanisms. First, it strengthens the central system that tracks positive cases up to 31 January, ensuring public health authorities can monitor the spread of infection more efficiently. Second, it extends the validity of testing results, covering outcomes until 30 June, so that decision-making remains aligned with evolving clinical guidance while the general emergency regime winds down.
Two weeks earlier, government spokesperson Olivier Véran criticized the opposition for what he described as a willingness to oppose the executive branch. He argued that the opposition aimed to disrupt the government during the National Assembly debate, particularly after a core portion of the bill was rejected in that first round of votes. The exchange underscored the political sensitivity surrounding the winding down of emergency measures while ensuring safety nets remain in place should surveillance needs reemerge.
Earlier in March, former Prime Minister Jean Castex announced changes reflecting the transition away from strict mandates. As of 14 March this year, mask usage in closed spaces is no longer mandated, and the vaccination certificate is set to expire. Additionally, masks are no longer required on public transport, a change that has been in effect since mid-May. These steps were framed as part of a gradual return to normalcy while preserving the capability to respond quickly if a new health threat arises, either domestically or abroad. The government has emphasized the need to balance public health protections with personal freedoms and the economic activity that depends on a functioning society. The evolving framework continues to be monitored by health authorities and lawmakers, who stress preparedness for potential future emergencies and the importance of transparent, evidence-based policies that can adapt to changing circumstances. [Attribution: Parliamentary records and official briefings]