Tourists face ban from bars and attractions as France introduces new Covid passport rules

Customers who refuse to show the ‘health pass’ face being fined (Photo: Getty Images)Customers who refuse to show the ‘health pass’ face being fined (Photo: Getty Images)
Customers who refuse to show the ‘health pass’ face being fined (Photo: Getty Images)

British holidaymakers visiting France face being banned from attractions unless they have proof of a Covid-19 vaccination, or recent negative test, under Emmanuel Macron’s strict new coronavirus passport scheme.

The French health pass has already been required at the likes of cinemas, museums and theatres since 21 July, but has now been extended to include a wider range of venues.

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How does the health pass work?

As of Monday (9 August), the health pass will be needed to dine in a restaurant, enjoy a drink in a bar or cafe, including on an outdoor terrace, and on intercity transport, such as high-speed trains and domestic flights.

However, it will not be required for use of the metro system and suburban transport.

The new scheme makes it mandatory to be either fully vaccinated against Covid-19, have proof of a negative test, or have recently recovered from coronavirus to enjoy access to such venues.

Tourists visiting France will be required to load a digital QR code from the NHS onto the French coronavirus app to prove their vaccination status, or recent negative test result.

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Customers who refuse to show the ‘health pass’ face being fined, with costs starting at £115 (€135) and rising to as much as £3,000 (€3,750), or a six-month prison term, for repeat offenders.

Businesses can also be landed with a fine of £1,300 (€1,500), or a temporary closure, if they fail to check customers’ vaccine passports before allowing them entry.

Fines can increase to as much as £7,600 (€9,000) and a year-long prison term for any business found breaking the rules more than three times.