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As the end of the year celebrations approach, the majority of French people do not intend to be tested for Covid-19 before spending New Year’s Eve and Christmas with their family. In the middle of the 9ᵉ wave, the French prefer to turn to barrier gestures.
As the end-of-year celebrations approach, only three out of ten French people intend to be tested before reuniting with their families, reveals an Ispos survey* for Pfizer. More specifically, 73% of French people will not get tested before Christmas Day and the New Year.
Covid-19: barrier gestures are ingrained in the daily lives of the French
On the contrary, barrier gestures seem to have become established in the habits of the French. Six out of ten French people say they want to be more vigilant a few days before the festivities. Indeed, one out of two French people has “the intention to systematically wear a mask in closed places with the public in the days preceding the holidays”presents the survey.
When it comes to celebrating the holidays, the vast majority of respondents do not want to implement social distancing measures. 76% of respondents plan not to wear a surgical mask or FFP2 during family gatherings. As far as separate tables are concerned, 81% of French people do not provide any at mealtimes. As a reminder, in 2021, only one in ten respondents had given up joining family and friends for the holidays despite contracting COVID-19.
Christmas: wearing a mask is recommended
For its part, the Committee for Monitoring and Anticipation of Health Risks (Covars) warns of “an active resumption of circulation of SARS-COV2, an epidemic threshold crossing of influenza and an intense and early epidemic of bronchiolitis, as well as ‘in anticipation of the next end-of-year celebrations, a source of significant intergenerational mixing’, in its opinion published on December 19. Specialists recommend wearing a mask (the committee also recommends offering them free of charge in places where they are necessary), in particular in closed public places, screening, in particular by self-testing. In addition, they call “to intensify the vaccination campaign against both COVID-19 and influenza”.
As a reminder, the institutions recommend washing your hands regularly or using a hydro-alcoholic solution. To use a single-use tissue or your elbow to cough or sneeze. To greet without shaking hands and to avoid hugs. Finally, it is advisable to air the rooms as often as possible and, at least, for a few minutes every hour.
*Survey conducted by Ipsos for Pfizer among 4,000 French people aged 18 and over from November 29 to December 9, 2022.