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The government has just decided on access to polling stations, a few days before the presidential election. And even in this period of epidemic recovery, going to vote will be possible for everyone, without any particular restriction.
No mandatory mask to vote, even less a health pass… Government announcements have just come out concerning the vote in the presidential election which will take place on April 10 and 24. And in this period of rising Covid-19 cases, no particular restrictions are on the agenda.
Voting, a constitutional right
No mandatory mask therefore, and no ban on going to the polls even if you are positive for Covid-19. “Remember that voting is a constitutional right. So nothing can prevent a person from going to vote” said government spokesman Gabriel Attal on Wednesday March 30. A recommendation is issued only in this case: wear the mask in the polling station for positive people.
A protocol in place
A decision which may seem surprising, when the cases of contamination recorded in 24 hours amount to 169,024 on March 30, and around 500,000 positive people are expected in the days preceding the election. However, the government states that “wearing a mask remains strongly recommended for the elderly, immunocompromised, chronically ill and fragile, symptomatic people, people with contact cases at risk and positive people who have tested positive for Covid-19..
Surgical masks will be made available to everyone, on site and fragile people will be able to request “priority access”. Finally, separate entrances and exits will have to be set up in the polling stations “to avoid crowding”. Self-tests will also be offered to assessors.
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No document requested
The government also indicates in its press release not to ask for any document to vote (neither proof of vaccination nor certificate of recovery) and not to set up a gauge in the polling stations. Assessors may ask voters to briefly lower their mask to verify their identity. The premises must be ventilated for 10 minutes every hour and the equipment on site disinfected regularly, throughout the day. Bottles of hydroalcoholic gel will also be available to disinfect your hands.
Finally, the press release specifies that the measures may be adjusted according to the evolution of the epidemic.