In France, the obligation to present the health pass comes into force today to enter bars and restaurants (even in open spaces), long-distance trains and buses, cinemas, theaters, hospitals and hairdressers. Also in France, as an alternative to proof of vaccination, a swab with negative result or a certificate of recovery from Covid can be presented. The obligation “should allow for another 10 million French people to be vaccinated”, said the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran in Le Parisien, according to whom “further curfews and confinements should be avoided”. So far, just over 44 million French people have received at least one dose of the vaccine: the government is aiming for the figure of 50 million by the end of August.
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The health pass made its appearance in the daily life of the French in June, but from today it will be extended to other places. Since June it is mandatory in cultural, sporting or professional events with the participation of more than 1,000 people, with a maximum level set at 5,000 people, i.e. fairs, concerts, shows, casinos. exhibitions, conferences, sporting events, festivals, cruises with more than 1,000 passengers and amusement parks. Since 9 July it has also been imposed on night clubs, which have reopened. From 21 July it is mandatory in places that can accommodate more than 50 people such as cinemas, theaters, theaters and museums.
From today the threshold of 50 people falls, but, above all, the pass extends to a greater number of places of everyday life and it will be necessary to sit at the table of a bar or restaurant, both indoors and outdoors. It may be requested in some shopping centers (with an area exceeding 20,000 square meters “when their characteristics and the risk of contagion justify it”), in retirement homes, in medical-social institutions and in hospitals.
Russia, the dead are rising
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Russia rose 769 in the past 24 hours from 787 the previous day, bringing the official death toll to 165,650. The national anti-coronavirus crisis center makes this known. The provisional mortality rate is 2.56%. The confirmed cases of coronavirus in the 24 hours are 22,160.
In Germany two deaths in the last 24 hours
Germany records two other deaths attributable to the coronavirus and 1,183 new cases ascertained in the last 24 hours, with an incidence of infections per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days reaching 23.1 infections. This was announced by the Robert Koch Institute (Rki). Yesterday, according to the government agency in charge of monitoring the progress of the pandemic in the country, the figure was 22.6 and a week ago at 17.8. Last week, Rki reported 847 new infections and one death. Since the beginning of the pandemic in Germany there have been 3,791,949 confirmed infections with about 3,667,400 people healed after contracting the infection and 91,784 deaths.
China, officials accused of failing to cope with the new emergency sanctioned
China reports 125 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. The data communicated this morning by the National Health Commission and reported by the Xinhua agency speak of 94 new cases of “local transmission” of coronaviru reported yesterday, 41 of which in Henan province and 38 in that of Jiangsu (where Nanjing is located from whose airport the new outbreak would have started), and 31 other “imported cases”. The health authorities of the Asian giant also report another 39 cases relating to asymptomatic patients, which are not included among the confirmed infections. Meanwhile, as the Global Times wrote yesterday, more than 30 officials were “sanctioned” in four of the provinces of China most affected by the latest wave of infections, all accused of not having been able to cope with the new emergency.
Heads of districts, local health commissions, hospitals, but also airport and tourism sector officials have been targeted. At least 15 officials, including Deputy Mayor Hu Wanjin, have been sanctioned in Nanjing alone, according to the Global Times. In the city of Zhangjiajie, a tourist destination in Hunan province, about twenty officials were targeted, while “disciplinary measures” were announced for various officials in Zhengzhou, city of Henan province, and Yantai, in Shandong province. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the official bulletin of the Chinese authorities has reported 93,826 infections with 4,636 deaths attributable to the coronavirus.
In Israel the third dose for 500 thousand people
Vaccination with a third dose of Pfizer for ‘Over 60s’ who received the first two doses over five months ago continues apace in Israel. In eight days, according to the health ministry, it was administered to 500,000 Israelis. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the success of the campaign and encouraged the health insurance funds to complete the administration of the third dose to 90 percent of ‘Over 60s’ by Friday. According to health minister Nitzan Horowitz, the data relating to the first group of Israelis who received the third dose are “encouraging”. In particular, it is believed that they are less prone to complications if they were infected with the virus. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked anticipated that the government is now examining the possibility of vaccinating ‘Over 50s’ who received the first two doses over five months ago with a third dose. A decision on the matter, according to Shaked, should come in two weeks.