Stricter coronavirus rules and the announced end of free tests look to have further increased the vaccination rate in France, said dpa international.

While 56.4 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, 67.4 per cent has received at least one shot, the health authorities said in Paris on Friday.

Among all inhabitants over the age of 12, 78.4 per cent has received the first jab and 65.7 per cent is already fully vaccinated.
Despite the upcoming compulsory vaccination for workers in hospitals and nursing homes, the rate of 70.1 per cent of fully vaccinated people in these domains is too low, the authorities complain.

Further information campaigns have been announced, also with regard to nursing assistants and trainees. By September 15 at the latest, employees in the French health sector are supposed to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the increase in infections and patients in clinics has slowed down, with the exception of the overseas territories that have been hit hard by the latest wave of the pandemic.

The seven-day incidence rate at the end of the previous week was 236 across the country.

This weekend, mass protests against tightened coronavirus rules are expected in France once again.

In addition to near compulsory vaccination, people are upset about needing a so-called health passport with proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test..

Since the beginning of the week, this has been required, among other things, to visit cafes and restaurants and to travel by long-distance train or plane.

Unlike in Germany, the easing of restrictions in France in recent months has not been linked to compulsory testing.

AOQ

SOURCE BAHRAINNEWSAGENCY