The start of 2022 is marked by new measures to fight against Covid-19 and particularly against the Omicron variant, which has settled in the territory at lightning speed.
At the end of the Council of Ministers and the Defense Council which were held exceptionally last Monday, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, had made a series of announcements which will come into force on Monday.
Other rules, which had not been mentioned, were added in a decree published in the Official Journal on Saturday.
Small overview.
Relaxation of isolation
This is one of the big changes expected on Monday: the relaxation of isolation rules.
Last Monday, Jean Castex announced a modification without specifying the details.
It is now done.
In the Journal du Dimanche, the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, explained that people positive for Covid-19 whose vaccination schedule is complete "will have to isolate themselves for seven days".
A figure which could be reduced to five "in the event of an antigenic test or negative PCR" and on condition of not having any more clinical sign of infection for 48 hours.
People infected but not whose vaccination schedule is not complete "will have to isolate themselves for ten days, with a possible discharge after seven days under the same conditions".
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A big change is also planned for contact cases: those who are vaccinated will no longer have to isolate themselves on condition of directly doing a PCR or antigen test, then self-tests on D + 2 and D + 4. As for the unvaccinated - or those whose recall was not done in time - they will have to isolate themselves for seven days and then get a negative test.
Turn of the screw on teleworking
From this Monday, teleworking becomes compulsory at least three days a week in the companies where it can be carried out.
A duration which can go up to four days as far as possible, even announced Jean Castex last Monday.
On several occasions, the previous week, the Minister of Labor had already recommended to increase the days of teleworking, the measure will now be binding.
A financial penalty may even be applied to companies that do not comply with this new rule.
Change in bars ...
From this Monday, in bars and cafes, the consumption of food or drink in bars and cafes will no longer be able to be done standing and will have to be done "only sitting".
In addition, it will be forbidden to eat or drink in all cinemas, theaters and sports facilities.
... and in transport
In public transport too, the conditions of consumption of food and drink will be modified on Monday.
The announcement of Jean Castex on the subject had also surprised, since the Prime Minister had made it clear that this measure would also concern “long distance” journeys.
According to the decree published on Saturday, there is no mention of consumption but only of the fact that "the sale and service for consumption on board of food and drink are prohibited" in transport.
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Asked by Le Parisien, the SNCF however indicated that, as of Monday, it "will not be allowed to remove the mask to consume food or drinks", while specifying that the measure would be "applied with common sense and discernment, in particular to help quench thirst or to feed young children and vulnerable people ”.
The mask from 6 years old
This is one of the changes that had not been announced by the Prime Minister. But, from this Monday, wearing a mask becomes compulsory in some places for children from 6 years old - against 11 so far. This concerns in particular performance halls, gymnasiums and sports halls, museums and libraries, but also shopping centers and places of worship. The mask is also compulsory from the age of six in covered markets and to go to restaurants and cafes. Children over the age of six should also have their faces covered in public transport, when traveling by boat and by plane.
If this measure had not been announced at the end of the Council of Ministers and Defense, it is because it is not about a "major rule change", justified the entourage of Jean Castex from France info.
The measure, however, was announced in the Official Journal on Saturday.
The mask in the city center
As the Prime Minister had announced, the wearing of a mask will become compulsory again in all city centers in France from Monday.
But this measure has already been taken locally in many cities.
He has, for example, already made his return to Lyon and Paris since Friday, as well as in many other municipalities and departments.
The return of gauges
The beginning of January also marks the return of a measure that had disappeared since the summer: the gauges.
As of Monday, large gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 2,000 people when they take place indoors and 5,000 people outdoors, and everyone must have a seat.
These rules apply to sports establishments, stadiums, auditoriums or meeting rooms.
The measure will not apply, however, in political meetings, said Jean Castex last week.
Extension of the closure of nightclubs
The closure of nightclubs, announced on December 10 for a period of one month, will be extended by three additional weeks from Monday, said Minister Delegate in charge of Tourism and SMEs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.
So that leads to January 24.