France will probably not return to a normal post-COVID-19 life until 2022 or even 2023 due to the highly transmissible variants of the virus, the government's top scientific adviser said on Friday.
"The return to normal is not for now, probably in 2022 or 2023. We will probably have another variant which will emerge in the winter. This virus has extraordinary mutation capacity," said Jean-Francois Delfraissy, head of the scientific council that advises the government.
Speaking to BFMTV news channel, Delfraissy expected the number of daily infections to reach around 50,000 by the beginning of August, and the fourth epidemic wave would affect French hospitals in the second half of next month.
"In this context of very high infection, with a variant much more contaminating than the previous one," it's necessary to return to protective measures such as washing hands or wearing masks outdoors in crowded places, he recommended.
The Delta variant, first detected in India, is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in France and triggered a fourth epidemic wave. On Thursday, the country reported 21,909 new cases, the highest daily figure since May 12.
In order to curb the spread of the variant, the government proposed measures to tighten restrictions for unvaccinated people by massively extending the use of the health pass, and make mandatory vaccination of health workers.
Earlier Friday, the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, endorsed the new measures. Under the new draft law, health workers and firefighters would face sanctions if they are not vaccinated.
People who want to visit cultural venues or go to amusement parks, swimming pools and gyms must now present a certificate which proves that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from the disease, or have a recent negative test.
Starting from early August, the health pass will also be needed to enter restaurants and bars and for long-distance train and plane journeys.
The legislation now passes to the Senate and set to be definitively approved during the weekend.
Source: Xinhua
