In France, the country\u2019s\u00a0top\u00a0constitutional authority on Aug. 5 agreed with most aspects of a new law that requires citizens to carry a\u00a0special COVID-19 health pass from next week onwards.<\/strong><\/p>\n A health pass\u00a0is only given to those who have been fully\u00a0vaccinated, recently recovered from an infection, or recently tested negative from the virus.<\/p>\n The new restrictions mean residents will only be allowed to access\u00a0cafes, restaurants, and, in some cases, hospitals, if they show the health pass.<\/p>\n While the pass has been in effect in France since July 21 for cultural and recreational venues, including cinemas, concert halls, and theme parks with capacity for more than 50 people,\u00a0the new law\u00a0vastly extends its application.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Constitutional Council also ruled Thursday that the passes would be required for long-distance travel by train, plane, or bus,<\/strong>\u00a0The Associated Press<\/a>\u00a0reported.<\/p>\n It also approved a ruling that health care workers should be vaccinated against the virus by Sept. 15 and hospital visitors will also require a health pass.<\/p>\n The special court did strike down several measures in the law, including the automatic 10-day isolation of people infected with the virus only being allowed to go outside for only two hours per day, which it said goes against French freedoms.<\/strong><\/p>\n It struck down suspension of short-term contracts for those without a health pass – while accepting a suspension without remuneration of salaried employees with long-term contracts.<\/p>\n President Emmanuel Macron announced the proposed legislation in July and it was sped urgently through parliament last week amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country due to the highly contagious delta variant.<\/strong><\/p>\n However, opponents of the measures accuse Macron of trampling on freedoms and discriminating against the unvaccinated.<\/p>\n The court\u2019s recent ruling sparked protests in front of the Constitutional Council in Paris, with several hundred people denouncing the ruling, while more protests are planned for this weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n France\u2019s President Emmanuel Macron gestures during an online gathering in Bormes-Les-Mimosas, southern France, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Christophe Simon\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n In a similar move on Thursday, government officials in Italy also announced that citizens will be required to show\u00a0proof of at least one dose of vaccine, a negative coronavirus test, or recent recovery from COVID-19 in order to enter a number of public places.<\/strong><\/p>\n As of Aug. 6, the pass will be required to go to gyms, swimming pools, sports stadiums, museums, spas, casinos, and cinemas. Eating in indoor restaurants also requires a pass.<\/p>\n Known as a \u201cgreen pass,\u201d the digital or\u00a0paper certificate will also be\u00a0mandatory for travelers on trains, planes, ships, and inter-city coaches from Sept. 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n Previously, it was only needed for travel\u00a0within the European Union and to gain access to care homes or large wedding receptions within the country.<\/p>\n Teachers must also show proof of immunity from COVID-19 before entering the classroom, and will not be allowed to work without it.<\/p>\n Staff without passes for five days straight will be suspended and will no longer be paid,\u00a0Reuters<\/a>\u00a0reported.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Green Pass is essential if we want to keep businesses open,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Back in March, just one month after taking office, Draghi also made it mandatory for health workers to be vaccinated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe choice of the government is to invest as much as possible in the Green Pass to avoid closures and to safeguard freedom,\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Health Minister Roberto Speranza told reporters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Italy has so far vaccinated almost\u00a060 percent of its population<\/a>\u00a0but is experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations amid the spread of the CCP virus delta variant.<\/p>\n The country reported 27 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday against 21 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 7,230 from 6,596.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.zerohedge.com\/s3fs-public\/styles\/inline_image_mobile\/public\/inline-images\/france-vaccine-700x420.jpg?itok=-67kqeZZ\")
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