If the figures currently remain low, the strong contagiousness of the Delta variant makes health authorities fear a resumption of the coronavirus epidemic.
Especially since more and more vaccinated French people recognize that they have less respect for barrier gestures in recent weeks.
While the progression of the Delta variant raises fears of a rebound in the coronavirus epidemic, Emmanuel Macron will speak.
The President of the Republic is to address the French on Monday evening, and could in particular announce the compulsory vaccination of caregivers and the extension of the health pass.
But beyond the measures, doctors and health specialists insist on the importance of continuing to respect barrier gestures, while more and more French people tend to relax.
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According to the latest Public Health France survey conducted at the end of June, only two-thirds of the French avoid handshakes and hugs to greet each other.
Systematic mask wear is also down 12 points compared to May.
And yet, according to the latest opinion of the Scientific Council, as long as the vaccination coverage has not reached 90 to 95%, it is impossible to drop the barrier gestures.
"We release the pressure"
In the streets of Paris, many people met by Europe 1 confirm that they have been less vigilant in recent weeks.
"When you're 23, 30, you're tired of being forced," says a Parisian.
"It's true that since it's been two weeks since the vaccine, I tend to be a little less careful, but I feel that's kind of the goal ... get vaccinated, we are a little less in danger. "
"In our entourage, we are all vaccinated," assures a passer-by, who has therefore returned to kissing his friends.
"It's true that it's something that I do now and that I haven't done for a long time. It's nice to be back to normal a bit."
“After a while, you release the pressure,” says another.
"And at work, you're supposed to have the mask on all the time, but I don't have it all the time when I'm at my desk and not moving… I'm not exemplary on this."
"The error is not allowed with this variant"
However, aeration, the hydroalcoholic gel, and especially the mask remain essential, confirms Alexandra Mailles, epidemiologist at Public Health France, especially with this Delta variant, 60% more contagious than the British variant. "Its contagiousness requires that their application be perfect, and we think particularly of wearing the mask in indoor environments, covering the nose and mouth well," she explains to the microphone of Europe 1. "And we begin to have cluster reports from other countries indicating that error is really not allowed with this variant. "
In this context, remember that vaccination not only prevents hospitalizations, but also limits contamination. According to the Pasteur Institute, an unvaccinated person, even asymptomatic, has 12 times more risk of transmitting the virus than a vaccinated person.