The latest health restrictions are lifted one after the other, despite the increase in contamination. As of Monday, March 21, unvaccinated people are no longer required to isolate themselves if they have been in prolonged contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
→ UNDERSTAND. Covid-19, the rise in contaminations may not last
“Contact persons at risk, regardless of their vaccination status, will no longer be required to observe a period of isolation”, recommended on Tuesday March 15 the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. Previously, a seven-day isolation period was mandatory for people who were unvaccinated or only with partial vaccination coverage and testing was mandatory when symptoms appeared or seven days after learning of their contact status. . The isolation period could be extended up to ten days if the test in question turned out to be positive.
A recommended test
If this isolation is no longer mandatory, the Minister recalls, however, that people with contact cases must always “strictly apply barrier measures, and in particular wearing a mask indoors and outdoors in contact with other people”, “limit their contacts”, “avoid all contact with people at risk of severe form” and “telecommute as much as possible”.
→ EXPLANATION. Covid-19: the end of the vaccination pass and the indoor mask announced for March 14
In addition, those who have not been vaccinated should follow the same procedure as people who have received their booster dose. A test (self-test, PCR or antigen) is required two days after notification of the contact case status. “A positive antigen test or self-test result must necessarily be confirmed by an RT-PCR test. Pending the confirmation result, the person is considered a positive case and begins their period of isolation.says the Ministry of Health.
Since Monday March 14, the corporate health protocol has ceased to apply. Wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in the workplace. Labor Minister Élisabeth Borne, however, specified that it was recommended to “continue (…) to apply hygiene rules” such as washing hands, cleaning surfaces and ventilating the premises.