According to news reports, France has made a coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pass mandatory for tourists and visitors planning to ride the Eiffel Tower, visit French museums, or go to the movies. Making this special Covid-19 pass a requirement is the first step in a new campaign to combat what the government refers to as a “stratospheric” increase in delta variant infections.
Following a government decree, the Covid-19 pass requirement went into effect on Wednesday at cultural and tourist sites across France. Masked workers scanned QR codes on digital health passes and checked printed vaccines or test certificates at the Eiffel Tower.
What does a Covid-19 pass entail?
Visitors must be fully vaccinated, have tested negative for the coronavirus, or have recovered from Covid-19 to receive the special Covid-19 pass. Tourists who arrived at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris unprepared were seen lining up for quick virus tests as the new rule went into effect on Wednesday.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, wants to extend the Covid-19 pass requirement to all French restaurants and many other aspects of public life, as well as requiring all health workers to receive vaccinations.
Reactions to a unique pandemic
The requirement of a special Covid-19 pass in France has elicited mixed reactions from people from all walks of life. People who are against vaccines and being asked to show identification cards proving their immunity status are becoming more vocal.
A group of anti-pass protesters in the Alpine city of Chambery split up and broke into the town hall, removing a portrait of French President Emmanuel Macron from a wall and taking it away.
“In Denmark, you need the pass everywhere,” said Johnny Nielsen, a Danish tourist travelling with his wife and two children. So, while he questioned the utility of the French rules, he insisted that the family’s travel plans would not be affected.
