Macron hints Covid health pass rules may be eased in parts of France

Rules for using the Covid health pass may be eased in parts of France in which the health crisis is improving, President Emmanuel Macron suggested yesterday (September 15).

During a visit to Eure-et-Loir in the northwest, Mr Macron said: “There are departments where we will be led towards reducing the rules.”

He also said that France was “on the right path” towards reducing the health crisis.

However, the Élysée later warned against “reading too much” into the president’s comments. It said that future measures would be discussed among senior government ministers during Conseil de Défense meetings.

Use of the health pass is currently set to remain in place until November 15.

In early September, Mr Macron said this could be extended. “We cannot rule out that this temporary tool will still be needed in areas under intense pressure due to the epidemic to prevent having to close venues,” he said.

What are the Covid levels in different parts of France?

On Wednesday, September 15, the incidence rate in France (the number of cases in the past seven days per 100,000 people) fell to 99.2.

This is the first time since July 17 that it has fallen below 100. Alert levels are between 50-200 depending on the situation.

The latest figures show that 9,555 people are currently in hospital with Covid, a reduction of 184 on the previous day.

Of the people in hospital, 1,959 are in intensive care.

Compared with Wednesday last week (September 8), 29% fewer daily cases were reported yesterday, at 9,144.

Where is the lowest rate in France right now?

The lowest incidence rate in France is currently found in Normandy (also the region with the highest rate of vaccination) at 47.34 – a decrease of almost 30% compared to last week.

Regional health agency l’Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) in Normandy said that the number of patients in hospital with Covid had been falling since mid-July.

All other regions in mainland France have an incidence rate of below 100 except for Provence-Alpes­-Côte d’Azur, which is at 225.

Full figures can be seen in more detail on the CovidTracker website, with interactive graphs that allow you to search your specific region, and view figures by date and age group.

CovidTracker also offers an interactive map that is searchable by region, offering extra statistics such as the level of hospital tension, number of daily cases, and number of people in intensive care.

Masks no longer needed in most outside spaces in Hérault

In Occitanie, authorities in Hérault have said that masks no longer need to be worn in outside spaces outside designated busy zones, such as outdoor markets.

From Friday (September 17), health passes will no longer be required to enter shopping centres in the department.

Mask wearing has been mandatory in all outside spaces in Hérault since July 22, due to the high number of Covid cases in the department.

This month, the incidence rate in Hérault has fallen from 343 on September 1 to 151.9 today.

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