Covid France: concerns and measures in the face of the recovery in China

[Mis à jour le 4 janvier 2023 à 16h36] The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 keep on to slow down in France since the end of December but the government is closely monitoring the resumption of the Covid-19 epidemic in China. “It’s here source of legitimate concern in Europe. The vigilance and mobilization remain total and required in terms of health risks” informed Olivier Véran during the report of the Council of Ministers January 4. It was from this country that the epidemic started in December 2019. The government spokesperson then announced thatFrom January 5, 2023, the presentation of a negative Covid test will be mandatory for all travelers returning from China or having transited there.. “A measure of common sense and protection of our fellow citizens” continued the former Minister of Health. A screening operation organized on January 3 at an airport on asymptomatic passengers returning from China revealed thatone in three tests were positive.

​​​​​​What are the measures to deal with the resumption of Covid in China?

Faced with the resumption of the Covid epidemic in China, the french government implements the following measures:

• As of January 5, 2023: All passengers coming from China, by direct flight or with a stopover, and bound for French territory must present, before boarding, the negative PCR or antigen test result less than 48 hours old.
• Wearing a mask is made compulsory on planes from China.
• Upon arrival on French territory, random PCR tests can also be performed.

France also recommends that travelers who plan to visit China, especially fragile and immunocompromised people, consider a postponement of their trip, in the absence of an essential reason. It is recommended that travelers who cannot postpone their trip have a complete and up-to-date vaccination schedule and respect the barrier gestures.

What are the Covid measures in force in 2023?

• up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19, in particular by a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the initial strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for eligible first-timers, as well as against influenza viruses
• isolation in case of positive test for COVID-19 and/or symptoms;
• wearing a mask recommended in the presence of vulnerable people, in the event of promiscuity in closed spaces such as public transport
• maintenance of barrier gestures : regular hand washing, ventilation of closed places
• screening of people who are contacts and/or who show symptoms Covid.
• Travel health certificate. The government can request a negative screening test on boarding towards French territory and for overseas travel. This border test may be required until March 31, 2023 for people over 12 years of age before boarding for French territory in the event of the appearance of a dangerous variant in a country, or in the event of a dangerous variant, it may apply to travelers from overseas territories, or to these regions in the event of a risk of saturation of the local hospital system.
• Prolonged epidemic follow-up. Epidemic monitoring tools remain in place: SI-DEPthe national screening information system which centralizes all test results, is extended until June 30, 2023, and Covid contact, which provides follow-up and support for infected people and their contact cases, is extended until January 31, 2023.

What is the dominant variant in France?

According to the latest variant risk analysis published by Santé Publique France on December 14, 2022, it is still the variant Omicron which circulates exclusively in France. Within the Omicron variant, the BA.5 sublineage has been in the majority for several months: it represented (all its sub-lineages included) 92% of the sequences at the end of November. Among the BA.5 sub-lineages, the sub-lineage BQ.1.1 continues to increase at a stable speed in France and around the world.

What are the measures for wearing a mask?

Given the circulation of several respiratory viruses (Covid-19, bronchitis virus, influenza), adherence to barrier gestures, including wearing a maskis still highly recommended in January 2023. Above all:

• in closed and crowded places and public transport (metro, train, bus, plane, etc.);
• in large gatherings, including outdoors, for people who are fragile due to their age or their pathologies;
• in the presence of elderly, immunocompromised or chronically ill people;
• for fragile people (elderly or immunocompromised…).
• in the event of symptoms and up to 7 days in the event of contact status at risk or on release from isolation.

What are the Covid measures at the hospital?

With the end of the state of health emergency in France on July 31, 2022, there was the end of the exceptional measures for the hospital. the health pass is no longer required at the entrance to hospitals. Wearing a mask either, in theory. Nevertheless, theAP-HP (Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris) indicates that“due to the fragility of the people who are welcomed, and given the high level of circulation of the virus, in hospitals, wearing a mask will remain compulsory inside hospital buildings (not in outdoor areas) for staff, patients and visitors. Elsewhere than in Paris, the person in charge of the establishment or the medico-social service (hospitals, clinics, health centers, etc.) may make it compulsory to wear a protective mask, indicates the Public Service website. Find out before you go to the hospital. In hospitals, staff not vaccinated against Covid are still suspended in France.

What are the Covid measures at school?

Since the back to school 2022there is no more Covid protocol imposing restrictions in schools. the Ministry of Education established, in connection with the health authorities, a graduation including a pedestal of measures and three protocol levels (green, orange, red). It is the “base” level that is currently in force: no mask, no distance… and face-to-face course for all levels.

What are the measures for the Covid vaccine recall?

After the opinion of the High Authority for Health (HAS) of July 13, 2022a second booster dose is recommended:

• For people over 60, for pregnant women, for adults at risk of severe form and those around them: from 6 months after the last booster.
• For people over 80, residents of nursing homes and USLDs and immunocompromised people: from 3 months after the last reminder or the last infection.

This second booster dose is also open to all French people who wish it. Bivalent vaccines, targeted on the Omicron variant, have been favored for boosters since October 3, 2022.

What are the isolation measures?

For positive people with a complete and up-to-date vaccination schedule and for children under 12 years old : isolation is for a period of 7 days (full) from the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of the collection of the positive Covid test.

“We must continue to be tested when we have the impression of having symptoms or that we are in contact. Laboratories must be able to ‘type’ which virus is involved. Without it, we won’t know if a nasty variant arises. There may be.”, recommended Brigitte Autran on October 4 on RMC. A person in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19 must be notified by the positive case or by Health Insurance (by SMS or by telephone). there is more isolation instructions for contact cases and the test instructions are identical regardless of your vaccination status. The contact case must perform a screening test (RT-PCR or antigen test or self-test) 2 days after being notified by Health Insurance or by the positive person.

What are the measures for travel?

Since August 1, 2022, the border health control system has been lifted, in accordance with the law putting an end to the exceptional regimes created to fight against the epidemic linked to covid-19. Travelers don’t have no more formalities to complete before their arrival in France, in mainland France and overseas, and the presentation of the health pass can no longer be required, regardless of the country or zone of origin. Likewise, no more justification of the reason for a trip departing from France, in mainland France and overseas, no certificate of leaving the territory is required by the French authorities to go to another country.

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Sources:

Covid-19: International travel, Ministry of the Interior.

MyAdviceCovid.Gov

Gouvernement.fr