Vaccine-shy French could face public transportation ban

Amid reports that many in the world are hesitant to take new coronavirus vaccines, France takes action to encourage public vaccination: People who fail to get inoculated could be banned from using public transportation there, according to a draft law sparking angry protests from opposition politicians.

Prime Minister Jean Castex yesterday got his cabinet’s backing for a bill that is designed to provide a legal framework for dealing with health crises, including the coronavirus pandemic.

People walk past a tent set up for rapid COVID-19 testing on the pavement outside a pharmacy on December 21, 2020, in Paris. (Martin BUREAU / AFP)

According to the text, which will now be submitted to parliament, a negative COVID test or proof of a “preventative treatment, including the administration of a vaccine” could be required for people to be granted “access to transport or to some locations, as well as certain activities.”

Israeli is also believed to be weighing such measures.

— with AFP