It is officially this Friday the end of the systematic reimbursement of non-prescription screenings, known as "comfort" for non-vaccinated people.
A measure aimed both at convincing the last refractory to vaccination and curbing expenditure related to tests.
Read also End of free anti-Covid tests: "The beginning of the galley" for the last unvaccinated
The end of free testing is also expected to have a financial impact on the state.
Until now, France was one of the few countries in the world not to require symptoms or to be a contact case to fully reimburse PCR tests.
A policy that cost 6.2 billion euros this year.
A test at what cost?
The amount to pay for screenings will now vary from 22 euros for an antigen in the laboratory, to 25 in pharmacies, or even 30 on Sundays.
For PCRs, it was set at 44 euros.
"This is the price that the French have not seen until now and that the health insurance reimbursed us", explained to the Parisian François Blanchecotte, of the union of biologists.
Read also End of free anti-Covid tests: "For 60 million French people, nothing changes"
Nothing therefore changes for the 45 million French people who have already received two doses of the vaccine.
The measure clearly targets the 7 million partially or unvaccinated adults who will now have to get their hands on the wallet to obtain a health pass valid for three days.
Free if in contact.
In the event of notification from the Health Insurance indicating that you are in contact, the reimbursement of a test remains guaranteed for the unvaccinated.
However, you will have to show a "proof of contact at risk", received via an email or an SMS sent by Health Insurance which proves that you have been in contact with a person affected by Covid-19.
Reimbursed if you have symptoms.
People who are not vaccinated and who show symptoms of the virus will be able to continue to be reimbursed for their test in order to confirm whether or not they are affected by Covid-19. You just need to make an appointment with a doctor to get a test prescription. This prescription can also be issued by a midwife and it must be less than 48 hours old when the test is taken.
Always free for minors.
Unvaccinated minors will be able to continue to be tested for free, while more than 70% of 12-17 year olds have received at least one dose of the vaccine. To do this, all they need to do is present an identity document. This measure is in line with the announcements of the Ministry of Education, which wants unvaccinated children to continue to have free access to activities requiring a health pass since September 30.
Nothing changes in Overseas.
For the inhabitants of Guyana, Martinique and Guadeloupe, PCR tests continue to be reimbursed for everyone, and therefore even for the unvaccinated. Between the epidemic which is still circulating strongly in these territories and an always low vaccination rate on the spot, the government prefers to play it safe, postponing the delisting to the date of the end of the state of health emergency. Regarding Reunion, where the state of health emergency ended on Wednesday, the PCR test costs 27.16 euros during the week and 32.16 euros on Sunday.
Employees of hospitals, clinics and retirement homes, as well as liberal caregivers, home helpers, firefighters and paramedics, for their part, will have from today to certify a "complete schedule" of vaccination, under penalty suspension of their employment contract, without remuneration.
This measure concerns 2.7 million workers because 86.6% of staff in health establishments were already "fully vaccinated" on September 20, according to a survey by Public Health France.