- Title: Coffee and croissant in a French cafe? You'll need a COVID pass for that
- Date: 9th August 2021
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) MANAGER OF VRAI PARIS CAFÉ AT MONTMARTE NEIGHBOURHOOD, ROMAIN DICRESCENZO, SAYING: "It's simple, we have downloaded an app, 'Tous Anti Covid' (Everyone Against COVID), so we scan the QR code of the clients, and if it's valid, they can enter. And if it's not valid, we cannot serve them." DICRESCENZO SCANNING QR CODE OF CUSTOMER (SOUNDBITE) (French) MANAGER OF VRAI PARIS CAFÉ AT MONTMARTE NEIGHBOURHOOD, ROMAIN DICRESCENZO, SAYING: "And since this morning, we've refused dozens of people, unfortunately, either because they don't have it (the pass) or they're not vaccinated. For those who were not vaccinated, it's understandable, but there are those who have forgotten to get the pass so they go home, or they go for their coffee in another place, whereas they could have had it here if they had the pass." (JOURNALIST ASKING: "Does this bother you?") DICRESCENZO SAYING: "No it doesn't bother me. We're required to apply it, to fight against the virus. This is what the government wants to do, and if the experts think that it's what will help us move forward, well we're here to apply the rules and to re-open in good conditions." DICRESCENZO ON A CALL ON HIS MOBILE PHONE VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER SHOWING HIS PASS (SOUNDBITE) (French) PETROL LOGISTICS WORKER, ISSAM FAKIH, SAYING: "I have a somewhat divided opinion (on the health pass), to be honest. I've done it (gotten vaccinated), because in my job, it's important. At one point, I knew that I would be blocked, so I did it. But beyond that, it doesn't really bother me. Now, it's something that's on the mobile phone, it's with me, so it doesn't bother me when I'm asked for it, because I've done it." FAKIH DRINKING COFFEE (SOUNDBITE) (French) PETROL LOGISTICS WORKER, ISSAM FAKIH, SAYING: "I think it's still an attempt to curtail some freedoms, but maybe some reactions are a bit exaggerated. But I can understand those who don't want to do it (get vaccinated)." BREAD, CROISSANT AND TEA ON TABLE CUSTOMER SAMIR BIN MOHAMED SHOWING HIS HEALTH PASS TO WAITER WATER AND COFFEE ON TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (French) INVESTMENT CONSULTANT, SAMIR BIN MOHAMMED, SAYING "I know that we can transmit the virus even if we're vaccinated, so the pass is less effective. So it's a bit difficult, seeing how the virus is changing. But I have nothing against the pass, I showed it to the waiter, it didn't bother me." BIN MOHAMMED SITTING AT TABLE VRAI PARIS CAFÉ
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2021 11:30
- Keywords: France Montmartre Paris coronavirus health pass new law restaurants
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA003EPK5WLJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:France's extensions to its COVID-19 health pass came into effect on Monday (August 9), with restaurants, trains and commercial centres required to make checks before allowing people in.
The manager of the Vrai Paris a cafe in the Montmartre district said they had turn away dozens of clients who could not show the pass.
Romain Dicrescenzo told Reuters that some were forced to take away their coffee in paper cups as they were not vaccinated, whereas others had to go home to get proof of their double vaccination.
Tens of thousands have protested across France against the health pass, with over 230,000 taking part in demonstrations on Saturday (August 7).
The protesters in France accuse Macron of trampling on their freedoms and treating citizens unequally. The president says freedoms carry responsibilities that include protecting the health of others.
Vaccination rates jumped after Macron unveiled his health pass plans last month. Two thirds of all French people have now received one dose and 55% are fully vaccinated.
"I've done it (gotten vaccinated), because in my job, it's important. At one point, I knew that I would be blocked, so I did it. But beyond that, it doesn't really bother me," said petrol logistics worker Issam Fakih, who showed his health pass to a waiter as he sat for an espresso and a croissant at Vrai Paris.
From Monday, people will have to show a health pass to eat in a restaurant, access non-emergency treatment in a hospital or travel on an intercity train. They are already needed to access swimming pools, museums and nightclubs.
Health employees have until Sept. 15 to get their vaccinations or face suspension.
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