He said curbs would be imposed on the people if they did not
have a health pass that covered a vaccine or negative COVID test.
Unveiling sweeping measures to combat a surge in infections,
Emmanuel Macron said vaccination would not be compulsory for the general public
for now but stressed that restrictions would focus on those who are not
vaccinated.
Stanislas Niox-Chateau, who heads Doctolib, one of the
country’s biggest online websites used to book vaccine appointments, told RMC
radio there were record numbers seeking vaccines after the president’s
announcement.
“There were 7.5 million connections on Doctolib in a few
minutes. More than 900,000 French people made their vaccination appointment
yesterday, which is twice the last record which dated from May 11,”
Niox-Chateau said.
Macron said on Monday that a health pass required to attend
large-scale events would now be used much more widely, including to enter
restaurants, cinemas and theatres.
It will also be required to board long-distance trains and
planes from the beginning of August, giving a further incentive for people to
get the shot as the summer holiday season kicks in.
A slowdown in vaccination rates and a sharp upturn in new
infections due to the highly contagious, now dominant, Delta variant, have
forced the government to rethink its strategy.