France: the health pass for employees welcoming the public comes into force
The health pass for employees in places where it is already requested from customers, comes into force on August 30, but the government has promised "a week of flexibility, education, running in, tolerance".
AP - Michel Euler
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
From this Monday, August 30 in France, all employees in contact with the public will have to present a health pass.
A measure not always well received, especially in the catering sector, where the implementation of control for customers is already contested.
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QR code attesting to vaccination, negative Covid-19 screening of less than 72 hours, or certificate of recovery of less than six months, it is now impossible to report to work without one of these supporting documents for all employees, volunteers or subcontractors who work in establishments requiring the
health pass
from their customers.
In total, 1.8 million French people are affected by this new measure.
Most of them are employees of bars and restaurants, leisure and cultural establishments, but also those working in department stores, shopping centers over 20,000 m² or in public transport. .
Tired of restaurateurs
The measure is not always well received, especially in the catering sector, where the successive confinements and the implementation of control for customers is already contested and is causing a certain fed up.
This is the case in this restaurant located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. In recent weeks, the clientele has become scarce. In question, a gloomy weather, but also the health crisis. In this context, the boss Olivier, who is already complaining about the multiplication of the rules to be applied for a year and a half and of having to play the policeman with his customers, this new measure which affects his employees, he welcomes him with skepticism.
“
I myself have not yet had my two doses of vaccines,” he
assures us.
It takes time. It's three weeks each time, so putting a deadline like that is a bit cavalier. It is not my role as a restaurateur to verify neither my customers nor my employees. To be able to put someone out of work or to suspend them with no money because they haven't been vaccinated is unbelievable. This is unheard of.
"
A little further away, in a beauty-hairdressing salon, Hinda works with people at risk in the hospital.
For her, it will now also be compulsory to present a health pass.
Which she willingly accepts.
“
It's my responsibility to protect myself first and then other people,
” she says.
Its very important.
"
For Safia, her client, it is also essential: “
If she had not been vaccinated, I would not have come.
I think there is an awareness all the same.
They are not going to venture out to work without knowing whether they are positive [for Covid-19] or not.
I am reassured.
"
Some exceptions and a week of break-in
Employers who refuse to control their employees are initially exposed to a seven-day administrative closure and a fine of 9,000 euros in the event of a repeat offense.
Employees who are unable to present their pass to their manager can either take time off or be assigned to a new position away from the public.
If this is not possible, however, their employment contract will be suspended.
There are some exceptions, however, especially for those who work in spaces not accessible to the public, or even outside opening hours.
Workers or couriers on urgent journeys are not affected either.
Ditto for those who only offer take-out.
For new hires, finally, it is now impossible to validate a contract without presenting the precious sesame.
The health pass for employees comes into force on August 30, but the government has promised "
a week of flexibility, education, running in, tolerance
".
► To read also: France: the mobilization against the health pass decreases again
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