French official: Foreign athletes must hold a "vaccine pass" to compete in France

Source: Overseas Network

Overseas network on January 19 - The "vaccine pass" bill passed by the French parliament is about to be implemented. Roxanna Marachnianu, France's ministerial representative for sports affairs, clarified that all athletes, whether French or foreigners, must comply with the provisions of France's Vaccine Pass bill.

According to the Parisian newspaper reported on the 18th, France introduced a "vaccine pass" in sports venues and sports competitions, which means that athletes from foreign countries must also show a new crown vaccination certificate to enter the stadiums in France. Regardless of nationality, all athletes will be treated equally.

Previously, the French ministry of sports hoped to introduce a "health bubble" system for some sports events such as the French Open and implement more flexible measures, but this plan has been shelved. Roxana Maratchinianu stressed that the "Vaccine Pass" bill has been approved by Parliament, and once it is officially promulgated and implemented, all spectators, staff and athletes must use the "Vaccine Pass" to enter the relevant places.

However, the Bill also provides for a number of exemptions. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccination certificate, the COVID-19 infection recovery certificate is also included in the "vaccine pass". This means that athletes who have not completed COVID-19 vaccination can compete if they can provide a positive certificate of PCR test or antigen test for the previous 11 days to 6 months.

Serbia's world-number one tennis player Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia on January 16 and cannot participate in the 2022 Australian Open, and the question remains unresolved about whether he can participate in the French Open, which will take place from May 22 to June 5. Novak Djokovic, who contracted the coronavirus in December 2021, proved to be infected with more than the time limit set by the French "Vaccine Pass", and if this rule is not modified, he will not be able to enter the Roland Garros Stadium.

On the other hand, if the COVID-19 vaccine vaccinated by the person concerned is not a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, it is also considered ineffective in France at present, but the relevant regulations may be adjusted in the coming weeks.

According to French government spokesman Gabriel Atal, the "vaccine pass" will not be a long-term measure and will be lifted once the outbreak situation allows. However, this is likely to continue for quite some time in France, and even if the health situation in France improves, the evolution of the international epidemic must be taken into account. (Overseas Network - Paris - Lujia)

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