Booster dose, health pass, teleworking: the government’s avenues to counter the 5th wave – Yahoo News

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The last days, several health authorities have come out in favor of strengthening health measures, and in particular of acceleration of the booster dose campaign, to try to slow the progress of this fifth wave of Covid-19. This Wednesday, like every week, a Health Defense Council will be held at the Élysée to decide on these issues, with a view to announcing new measures. BFMTV takes stock of the tracks envisaged by the government.

• Towards a 3rd dose for all

According to our information, the government plans to open the vaccine booster to everyone, six months after the second dose. This recall currently only concerns people over 65 and people at risk of severe forms of the disease, as well as caregivers. Generalizing the 3rd dose is notably one of the latest recommendations from the Scientific Council and the Vaccine strategy orientation advice (COSV).

“It is also a barrier measure which slows down the circulation of the virus”, explains a minister. “We would remain on a progressive strategy, step by step as was the case until now,” continues another source within the executive at BFMTV.

However, for the moment, the question of integrating this booster dose for all in the health pass has not yet been decided, according to our information. As of December 15, people over 65 and people vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine must have received a booster dose for their health pass to remain valid.

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• The telework track not yet decided

The subjects of the gauges, especially in the event of large gatherings, and strengthening of teleworking are not, for the time being, a priority for the government.

Likewise, the reinstatement of a curfew or confinement is not at all on the agenda even if, in principle, the government does not exclude them.

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• Towards a change of the rules in the establishments

According to our information, the executive, however, is working on strengthening controls on the health pass, as well as on wearing a mask inside. “There are as many instructions as there are establishments, it must be clarified,” a minister participating in the Defense Council told BFMTV.

• Eye on hospital admissions

Internally, the executive refuses to be too anxiety-provoking or pessimistic. “We must be able to pass this fifth wave like the fourth, without saturation of hospitals, hoping that in January, February, that is stabilized”, hopes a government source.

“We will insist on the fact that the justice of the peace to this day, it is the admissions to the hospital”, said another minister of weight, citing the example of United Kingdom, where contaminations peak at 40,000 new daily cases, without saturating hospitals.

“It is worrying but we have the tools to cross the fifth wave”, it is still said within the government.

• A possible speech by Véran or Castex

The government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, having spoken several times in recent days on the health situation, a speech by Prime Minister Jean Castex or Olivier Véran, Minister of Health, is not excluded this week. The idea is to go “a step above”, with a government figure, to mark the spirits.

Original article published on BFMTV.com