The end of the year holidays are approaching and with them, the fear of seeing the Covid epidemic start again.
A concern reinforced by the appearance in November of the Omicron variant, classified as "worrying" by the WHO.
Less than three weeks before Christmas, epidemiologists call in the media to be extra careful given the multi-party meetings that are looming.
"The holidays will boost what will happen in January", warned this Wednesday Gilles Pialoux, head of the infectious diseases department at Tenon hospital in Paris on LCI.
"We must do tests on Christmas day, that everyone respects ventilation and barrier gestures, and we will spend the holidays more or less correctly," said the specialist.
A reminder "15 days before Christmas" recommended
The main weapon, however, remains vaccination, in particular the booster dose opened since the end of November to over 18s.
“This vaccine is not perfect with regard to transmission but it reduces severe forms, hospital stays and resuscitation”, recalled the professor once again.
Making an appointment before the end of the year holidays remains strongly recommended.
“If possible, I recommend doing the recall 15 days before Christmas.
Do not feel protected if you made the recall two days before Christmas… ", underlined for her part Anne-Claude Crémieux, professor specializing in infectious diseases at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris this Wednesday at the microphone of France Info.
In addition, the specialist encouraged screening, compliance with barrier gestures and ventilation of enclosed spaces.
"Now is not the time to come together"
Interviewed in our columns ten days ago, Professor Arnaud Fontanet, epidemiologist and member of the scientific council had advised as of now to avoid meetings with several.
“In the midst of an epidemic wave, this is not the time to gather large numbers inside without a mask.
Everyone has to sort it out a bit.
If we have dinners, it is not at 12, but at 4. If there is a family celebration, we invite only the closest.
And at such times, we keep the windows open when we can, and fragile people wear the mask, ”he recommended.
To read also Covid-19: "If we make dinners, it is no longer at 12 but at 4", warns Professor Fontanet
If he conceded that it was "a little early to decide on Christmas", given the trajectory of the epidemic, "we can estimate that we will still be in a tense situation at the end of December", he had specified.
Despite his precautions, optimism seems to prevail at the top of the state.
Asked this Wednesday on France Bleu Pays d'Auvergne, President Emmanuel Macron said he believed "deeply that the French will be able to spend serene Christmas holidays", while recalling the benefits of the health pass, barrier gestures and vaccination.