French government officials on Tuesday (January 4) vowed to enact by mid-January, as planned, a law to block unvaccinated people from hospitality venues, despite the legislation hitting a procedural hitch in parliament overnight.
January 15 remains the goal for the law to come into force, European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told LCI television.
Until now France has enforced a COVID-19 health pass, which means in order to get into restaurants, cafes or cinemas or board trains, people need to either show a fresh negative test, or proof of vaccination.
The legislation will remove the option of showing a negative test, effectively barring unvaccinated people from hospitality venues or trains.
The bill has faced fierce resistance from anti-vaccination campaigners and far-right and far-left groups but is backed by the government, which has a majority in parliament.
Tense discussions in parliament on the new law were halted after midnight on Monday (January 3) after a majority of deputies voted to suspend the session. Pro-government lawmakers were caught by surprise and were not present in the chamber in sufficient numbers to block the motion.
REUTERS