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New lifting of restrictions concerning the Covid-19 pandemic are taking place in France on February 28. Wearing a mask, test protocols… We take stock of the changes.
End of the mask obligation in closed places subject to the vaccination pass
As of today, wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in indoor places subject to the vaccination pass. This includes restaurants, cinemas and eateries. However, it remains compulsory at work, in transport (including trains and planes), shops, administrations and public services.
Only one mandatory test for vaccinated
For vaccinated contact cases, only one test (self-test, antigen or PCR) is now necessary for vaccinated people. It must be done two days after the declaration of the case-contact. If the test is positive, or when symptoms appear, isolation is maintained at 7 days for vaccinated persons or positive children under 12 years of age. With the possibility of lifting it on the fifth day if the test is negative, in the absence of symptoms for at least 48 hours. On the contrary, if the test is positive, it will be necessary to push the isolation until the 7thand day, without testing at the end of this period.
Level 2 protocol for schools
It’s back to school for students in zone A. After those in zone B last week, they too are experiencing a relaxation of the protocol in schools. Students can spend recess without a mask and they can be mixed in classes in the absence of teachers or in the canteen. Inside, the mask remains compulsory for all, from the age of 6.
Change also for tests: only one screening test will now be necessary for contact-case students, two days after its declaration. Return to class will be possible if the child is negative. In the event of a positive self-test, a PCR or antigen test for confirmation must be done.
Larger relaxations in the United States
In the United States, indoor mask wearing has been lifted virtually everywhere, including many schools. According to Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the nation’s leading health agencies, “we are now in a much better place as a nation, with more tools to protect ourselves from Covid-19.”.
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No more mask inside almost everywhere
It is a change in the calculation of the transmission of the virus, which now includes the occupation of hospitals by Covid patients, as well as the number of daily hospitalizations, allows to better reflect the viral spread. Using this method of calculation, the CDC can classify American counties according to 3 levels of spread: high, medium or low. Only counties ranked “high” must maintain the wearing of masks indoors, especially in schools.