Since last week Friday, pandemic restrictions have largely been lifted except mask mandates on public transport, in hospitals, care homes and prison, and the CovidCheck regime in those facilities. 

But there is still an exception: the organiser of an event or a business owners is free to apply a stricter regime, for example for concerts but also more generally to access shops, fitness centres, etc.

The organiser can impose the wearing of a mask or require proof of vaccination or recovery, and can also include the possibility of banning people who do not comply with these measures in their house rules--as long as they are not discriminatory. This stricter regime must be applied “following recommendations of the health directorate,” according to the website of the Chamber of Deputies.

No fines

However, as this is merely a recommendation from the government, there are no fines for non-compliance with the stricter regime in place.

“Sanctions must be provided for by law, they are never based on recommendations,” the health ministry, told Delano’s sister publication Paperjam. Thus, “sanctions still only exist for non-compliance with the obligation to wear a mask in public transport, hospitals and accommodation facilities for the elderly and care facilities,” the ministry said.

“In general, everyone is called upon to assess the risk that certain situations may present and to apply the necessary barrier measures to minimise any risk of spreading the virus,” the ministry said.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.