Covid France: what measures for the start of the school year in September?

Covid France what measures for the start of the school

COVID MEASURES. As the Covid epidemic is receding in France, there are fewer and fewer measures on national territory. The health pass was thus abolished on August 1. Mask, schools, travel, isolation, contact cases… What are the rules still valid for the start of the school year in September?

[Mise à jour le 25 août 2022 à 17h54] The Covid epidemic keep braking in France. All of the epidemiological indicators (incidence rate, positive cases, etc.) are improving in the territory. The state of health emergency allowing measures to be imposed by decree to combat the coronavirus epidemic ended on August 1, 2022. The obligation to submit a sanitary pass and of wearing the mask are no longer in effect. The government may, however, until March 31, 2023, require people over the age of 12 to present a negative Covid test (travel health certificate). Mask, 4th dose (second booster dose), contact cases, travel, isolation… For the back to school, no more protocol at work or at school. 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). For September it is the “base” level that will be in force so no restrictions for students (no mask, no distance…) and face-to-face course for all levels.

What are the Covid measures valid for the start of the school year in September?

On Tuesday July 26, 2022, following a final vote by the Senate, Parliament definitively adopted by 209 votes for against 30 votes against The law project putting an end to emergency regimes created to fight the Covid-19 epidemic. Since August 1:

  • End of the health pass obligation in places where it could still be required (hospital, EHPAD, etc.)
  • End of the obligation to wear a mask
  • End of possible use of confinement and curfew
  • Dissolution of the Covid-19 Scientific Council replaced by a “Committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks”, placed under the ministers of health and research.

► Measures that persist or are in force:

  • Screening of people who are contacts and/or who show symptoms Covid.
  • Isolation for positive people at 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 are the measures regarding the 4th dose of Covid vaccine?

In a press release dated July 26, 2022the DGS indicates that the second vaccination booster (4th dose) against Covid-19 is extended:

  • to all healthcare professionalsregardless of their age or state of health;
  • to all employees in the health and medico-social sector, to home helpers working with vulnerable people, to medical transport professionals, as well as to firefighters, whatever their age, their mode of exercise and their health.
  • This second reminder is open to professionals who so wish. It does not fall within the scope of the vaccination obligation.

What are the measures regarding the wearing of the mask?

Wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in any link in France: nor in the hospitals (except Paris AP-HP hospitals which maintain the wearing of masks in their establishments) or in Ehpad., nor in maritime, river, land and air transport. However, there remains strongly recommended :

  • 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…).

It is moreover strongly recommended in hospitals and for the elderly. And 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 measures concerning the health pass in France?

August 1, 2022 marked the end of the health pass in Francein places where it was still required such as in hospitals, in nursing homes…

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 (full) days from the date of onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test sample.

Diagram of isolation rules in the event of Covid and for contact cases © Ministry of Health and Prevention

A person in contact with a person 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 Covid protocol at school for the 2022-2023 school year?

For the back to school, no more protocol at work or at school. 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). For September it is the “base” level that will be in force so no restrictions for students (no mask, no distance…) and face-to-face course for all levels.

Sanitary measures at school for September 2022
Sanitary measures at school for September 2022 © Ministry of National Education

2022 KEY DATES

  • March 14: end of the vaccination pass
  • March 21: end of isolation for contact cases
  • April 7: opening of the 4th dose of Covid vaccine to over 60s
  • July 31: end of the state of health emergency in France (end of the health pass, end of the compulsory mask)

Sources:

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

MyAdviceCovid.Gov

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