Prime Minister of France Jean Castex has announced authorities are preparing a bill to extend the use of the Covid Health Pass.

The new bill to prolong the requirement will be presented to the Council of Ministers on 13 October, according to a report by French newspaper, Le Parisien.

The PM said although talks are underway regarding coronavirus restrictions being eased, citizens will still need the Health Pass to attend specific venues in order to sidestep a resurgence in Covid numbers.

News of the extension of the bill follows on from an announcement by President Emmanuel Macron, saying restrictions may be eased in certain areas where infection rates continue to decline.

The Health Pass was launched in June as authorities approved a draft law requiring everyone in the country to hold either a Covid vaccination certificate, proof of recovery or a recent negative test result to be permitted access to bars, restaurants, hospitals and shopping centres, amongst other venues. 

Despite those with a negative test result falling under the same regulations as vaccinated people or those who have recovered from Covid, President Macron advised everyone to get the vaccination. 

According to the government statement: “The ‘Health Pass’ is implemented as part of the national reopening plan. It makes it possible to limit the risks of epidemic spread, to minimise the probability of contamination in risky situations, and therefore the pressure on the healthcare system while allowing certain activities or places to be kept open in addition to the health protocols specific to each individual sector.”

Recent figures published by the government show around 50 million people in France have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.