French court approves COVID-19 health pass to go into effect Monday

A French constitutional court ruled in favor of the government requiring COVID-19 health passes for citizens attempting to enter restaurants, bars and other venues.

The Constitutional Council ruled Thursday the passes were legal for trains, restaurants, bars and other venues, The Associated Press reported. Passes can even be required for hospitals in some instances.

The court did strike down a few provisions of the law, including a mandatory 10-day isolation for those who contract COVID-19. The provision said a person could only go outside their home for two hours a day while quarantining.

The court said the recommendation for a 10-day isolation is allowed, but a requirement with only two hours allowed outside is not “necessary, adapted or proportional.”

The court also said short-term contracts can not be suspended for individuals who do not have a health pass, according to the AP.

The COVID-19 health pass is only given to those who are fully vaccinated, recently recovered from an infection or recently tested negative from the virus.

Protesters have been gathering in France for the past few weeks to protest this move by the government, saying it restricts their freedom and is unconstitutional.

More than 200,000 protesters came out last weekend in Paris with 3,000 officers to control the crowd. Demonstrators were also outside the Constitutional Council in Paris to protest the decision on Thursday.

The decision means the health passes will go into effect Monday, with individuals unable to enter most venues in the country without a pass.

It is unclear how well the passes will be enforced, as some restaurant owners said it isn’t their responsibility to check every customer who comes in, the AP noted.