COVID FRANCE 2023. As the epidemic is circulating weakly in France, the government has lifted certain health instructions from February 1, 2023, in particular for isolation and contact cases.
[Mis à jour le 30 janvier 2023 à 11h35] The Covid epidemic continues to decline in France: the incidence, screening and positivity rates are decreasing. New instructions are given by the government. Thus, on February 1, 2023: thesystematic isolation for people who have tested positive for Covid-19 and the completion of a screening test on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contact persons are no longer required, announce the Ministry of Health in a January 28 statement. Also, a decree ends the to the Health Insurance “Contact Covid” teleservicewhich made it possible to identify and take care of people sick with Covid and contact cases, and the issuance of derogatory sick leave.
What are the new Covid measures on February 1, 2023?
Faced with the drop in Covid circulation in France, the government has lifted certain health restrictions. Thus from February 1, 2023:
► End of isolation systematic for people who have tested positive for Covid-19
► End of the realization of a screening test on the second day of notification of contact status for contact persons asymptomatic
► End of Health Insurance “Contact Covid” teleservice, which allowed the identification and care of people sick with Covid-19 and contact cases. One official decree published on Legifrance puts a end to the issuance of derogatory work stoppages to insured persons who are unable to continue working, including remotely, in the event of contamination by covid-19 established by an examination registered in the nomenclature of medical biology procedures in order to limit the spread of the epidemic of Covid. This also implies the suspension of the possibilities of contact tracing by Health Insurance to search for contact cases in the entourage of people positive for Covid-19.
► The use of “SI-DEP” information systemallowing the delivery of the results of the tests carried out by all the laboratories and structures authorized to carry out the diagnosis of Covid-19, will be subject to the prior collection of consent of the persons concerned, to the sharing of their personal data for this purpose. In accordance with the will of the legislator, the “SI-DEP” information system will be kept in operation until June 30, 2023.
Remain in force:
► 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
► The wearing a mask recommended in the presence of vulnerable people, in the event of promiscuity in closed spaces such as public transport
► The maintenance of barrier gestures : regular hand washing, ventilation of closed places
► 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.
What are the isolation measures?
From Wednesday February 1, 2023, people who test positive for Covid-19 are no longer required to isolate themselves, announce the Ministry of Health in a January 28 statement. However, “as with any illness with an acute respiratory infection, it remains strongly recommended for people who test positive for Covid-19, as well as people who have been exposed to a contagious person and are likely to develop the disease, to respect barrier gesturesof get tested and D’avoid contact with fragile people“, can we read on the press release.
What are the Covid measures for contact cases?
On February 1, 2023, the completion of a screening test on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contact persons are no longer required. On the other hand, symptomatic people continue to have to be tested.
What are the current measures regarding the epidemic situation in China?
Faced with the resumption of the Covid epidemic in China, the french government has implemented the following measures:
- 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 is the dominant variant in France in January 2023?
According to the latest variant risk analysis published by Santé Publique France on January 11, 2023, it is still the variant Omicron which circulates exclusively in France. Successive sub-lineages of Omicron followed one another. “The Omicron sublines identified so far have kept very similar characteristics, with a progressive increase in their escape from post-vaccination, post-infection and monoclonal antibodies” says the health agency. Today the circulating sub-lineages are mainly derived from BA.5with in particular BQ.1 which circulates very widely in Europe (69% in France). But sub-lineages of BA.2 continue to circulate.
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 case of symptoms and up to 7 days in case of at-risk contact status
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 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 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.
KEY DATES 2022-2023
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Sources:
Covid-19: International travel, Ministry of the Interior.
MyAdviceCovid.Gov
Gouvernement.fr