France Is Not Cutting Off Food For Those Who Refuse The Vaccine
The Claim
French citizens will no longer be allowed food if they are unvaccinated.
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Emerging story
On July 12th France’s President Emmanuel Macron announced updates to the country’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Starting in August, anyone entering a restaurant, shopping center, theater, or a number of other indoor public spaces will have to show a COVID health pass.
Some social media users highlighted that grocery stores would require the pass, and began spreading the claim that unvaccinated people would no longer be allowed access to food. “No jab, no food,” several users claimed.
Misbar’s Analysis
Claims that imply that unvaccinated French citizens will no longer be allowed to purchase or have access to food are false. Health Minister Olivier Véran clarified that health passes would only be required at large shopping centers, but not supermarkets.
France’s COVID health pass or EU Digital Certificate further accommodates those who are unvaccinated by also accepting proof of a recent negative COVID test or proof that a person has recovered from an earlier infection. These qualities are also valid for accessing public spaces.
“Vaccination is not immediately obligatory for everyone, but we’re going to extend the health pass to the maximum, in order to push a maximum of you to go and get vaccinated,” President Macron said in an announcement. The new requirements are intended to help contain the spread of the Delta variant, which has caused a surge of new infections in the EU. They are not intended to punish or restrict those who are unvaccinated but to make public spaces safer for the general public.
To date, France has vaccinated about 40 percent of its population. While misinformation is a large cause of vaccine hesitancy, there are those who may be unable to get vaccinated due to legitimate health issues such as a suppressed immune system or certain allergies. This is part of the reason why the EU Digital Certificate accommodates those who are unvaccinated. Experts say that the risks associated with COVID-19 itself exceedingly outweigh the risks of vaccine side effects.
