An anti-vaccine protester marches with the French national flag during a rally in Paris. Photo / AP
An anti-vaccine protester marches with the French national flag during a rally in Paris. Photo / AP
Editorial
EDITORIAL
As Britain skids down the "just do it" off-ramp from the pandemic, other countries are moving towards reopening in a more controlled way.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is putting an emphasis on personal responsibility with the lifting of all restrictions within England on his "Freedom Day".
The big daygot off to a bad start with Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak having to self-isolate after Health Secretary Sajid Javid tested positive for Covid-19.
Masks are still advised but not mandated - although London is still enforcing them on the city's public transport.
Johnson has asked but not required nightclubs, theatres and sporting venues with large crowds to "make use" of the country's Covid app as "a means of entry" from today "as a matter of social responsibility".
In contrast, France, Ireland, and Canada are trying to officially differentiate between the vaccinated and unvaccinated as a way of reopening while trying to keep infections down and to encourage more vaccinations.
In terms of travel, the European Union vaccine passport is being rolled out this month, although Britain's health app isn't part of it. The passport includes people who have been vaccinated, had a recent negative PCR test, or have recovered from the coronavirus.
Ireland resumes international travel to and from places in Europe from today with the vaccine certificate. Fully vaccinated people from Britain and the United States will also no longer have to self-isolate on arrival in Ireland but people who aren't will still have to go through home quarantine.
Indoor dining in Ireland will reopen only for those who are fully vaccinated on July 26.
France is starting to take a more forceful approach towards vaccination.
President Emmanuel Macron is making doses a requirement for a range of activities. "We must go towards vaccination of all French people, it is the only way towards a normal life," he said.
Proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid, or a negative test will now be required to enter concerts and cultural centres. That will later be widened to public transport, hospitality venues, rest homes and hospitals. By mid-September, vaccines will be compulsory for health workers.
If that wasn't enough encouragement for the unjabbed to get a dose, previously free PCR tests will cost €49 ($82.50) in the northern autumn.
This has provoked a backlash in France where tens of thousands of people marched on Sunday.
France is also now requiring people who are not fully vaccinated and arriving from certain European countries to show a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 24 hours.
Arrivals from the UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and the Netherlands are subject to the new rule. Previously tests could be taken 48 to 72 hours out depending on the country.
People who are fully vaccinated with a European Medical Agency-approved vaccine do not have to show a test.
In a cross-border spat over variants, fully vaccinated Britons returning home from continental Europe from today are having to quarantine for 10 days if they have been in France.
In Canada, where about 80 per cent of people have had one dose, the government is planning to allow fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents in from next month for normal travel. That will be followed by fully vaccinated international travellers from early September.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week is government will work towards "an internationally accepted proof of vaccination that will allow Canadians to travel freely in the coming years".
All these overseas actions and the data that will follow might help New Zealand's Government decide on a course of action for when this country's vaccine rollout trundles to an end.
