This is the end of two key measures in the fight against Covid.
From February 1, systematic isolation for people who test positive for Covid-19 will no longer be required, announced the Directorate General of Health (DGS) this Saturday.
Just like screening tests for contact cases.
The government has therefore decided to follow the recommendations of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP).
Already before the summer, the body had pleaded to end this rule in the event of a “favorable” development in the situation.
🔴 Big relief from #Covid19 rules from February 1st:
• end of isolation supposed to be mandatory in the event of a positive test
• end of the test required if you are in contact and asymptomatic
It will simply be "recommended".
(Ministry of Health announcements)
1/n pic.twitter.com/ay2ZswByAY
— Nicolas Berrod (@nicolasberrod) January 28, 2023
In a press release, the DGS justifies this decision precisely by this “favorable epidemic context, marked by very low viral circulation in metropolitan France and overseas”, as well as by “similar strategies in all European countries ".
Barrier gestures always “highly recommended”
Until now, people who tested positive were required to self-isolate for at least 5 days and be tested on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contacts.
These rules will no longer be in effect in a few days.
"On the other hand, as with any illness with an acute respiratory infection, it remains strongly recommended that people who test positive for Covid-19, as well as people who have been exposed to a contagious person and are likely to develop the disease, respect barrier gestures. , to be tested and to avoid contact with fragile people”, specifies the General Directorate of Health.
Farewell to “contact-tracing” and sick leave without a waiting period
On January 31, the Health Insurance “Contact Covid” teleservice, which allowed the identification and care of people sick with Covid-19 and contact cases, will also be terminated.
This measure is not a surprise, it was provided for by the law of July 30, 2022 which organized the exit from the state of health emergency.
This judgment also implies “de facto the cessation of the derogatory system for taking charge of sick leave linked to Covid-19”, indicates the DGS in its press release.
Concretely, this means that work stoppages linked to a case of Covid-19 now fall within the classic framework, which provides for a waiting period before the payment of daily allowances by Social Security.
The end of this “Covid Contact” service finally suspends the possibilities for Sickness Insurance to search for contact cases in the entourage of people positive for Covid-19.