Following the vote of the new law COVID-19 by the Chamber of Deputies today, the amended law of 17 July 2020 on measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been adapted on the following points:
CovidCheck: 2G+ is replaced by 3G
The 2G+ system is replaced by the 3G system. Access to events, gatherings and establishments is therefore restricted to the following persons:
- Fully vaccinated persons with a vaccination certificate issued within the last 270 days (9 months)
- Fully vaccinated persons who have received a booster dose, presenting a certificate for the booster vaccination (in this case validity is unlimited)
- Recovered persons with a recovery certificate (valid for up to 180 days / 6 months)
- Unvaccinated and non-recovered persons or persons who received a 1st dose, with a valid negative NAAT (PCR) test certificate or a certified SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test
The following persons are not concerned by the 3G system:
- Persons with a certificate of contraindication to vaccination. In this case, access to events, establishments, etc. is subject to the presentation of a negative antigen self-test performed on site. The submission of a valid certificate of a certified SARS-CoV-2 PCR or of a rapid antigen test with a negative result is also accepted.
- Children under the age of 12 years and 2 months.
The validity period of the vaccination certificate under the CovidCheck system (now 3G) is aligned with the validity period for travel under the EU regulation, i.e. 9 months (compared to 6 months under the CovidCheck 2G+ system).
The 3G system is therefore now applied in the horeca (both outdoor and indoor), leisure and cultural sectors. The new law provides for a generalised 3G CovidCheck system, except in hospitals and care facilities, where the 3G+ system will continue to be in place for visitors (self-test to be carried out on site).
The 3G system at workplace becomes optional
The 3G system, which has been compulsory in the workplace since December 2021, will become optional again. If the 3G system is not retained by the company, the rules on meetings and gatherings apply (wearing a mask and respecting distance) as soon as the number of employees present at the same time in the same place exceeds 10 (e.g. office, conference room, canteen etc.).
An interprofessional agreement between the social partners and the government was signed in this respect today, stipulating that the application of the optional 3G system in the workplace can only be made subject to the written agreement of the staff delegation. A transitional period of maximum 14 days, during which the existing 3G system will continue to apply, can be put in place from the entry into force of the new COVID-19 law in order to allow for a new decision to be taken in agreement with the staff delegation.
Abolition of the 11pm closing time for the horeca sector
The 11pm closing time for restaurants, cafés and bars is abolished. The new law re-establishes the normal closing time for the horeca sector.
Limits on the number of people at gatherings are being raised
There are no restrictions on gatherings or events that take place in your private home. The CovidCheck disappears in private homes.
The thresholds for gatherings are hereby amended as follows.
- For gatherings of up to 10 people, there are no restrictions or health measures to be observed.
- Gatherings of between 11 and 50 people (inclusive): if the gathering is not organised under the CovidCheck system, the double condition of wearing a mask and a minimum distance of 2 metres is compulsory
- Gatherings of between 51 and 200 people (inclusive): if the gathering is not organised under the CovidCheck system, the triple condition of wearing a mask, being seated and keeping a minimum distance of 2 metres is compulsory
- Gatherings of between 201 and 2,000 people are in principle subject to the CovidCheck system, if not to the triple condition of wearing a mask, being designated a seat and keeping a minimum distance of 2 metres
- Over 2,000 people, gatherings are authorised provided they are subject to a health protocol to be accepted in advance by the Health Directorate.
The provisions regarding sports and cultural activities have been adapted to reflect the reintroduction of the 3G system. This system applies as soon as the number of people in the group exceeds 10. This also applies to extra-curricular activities, as long as the number of people in the group exceeds 10.
Parental authorisation for the vaccination of minors
For all minors up to the age of 15, parental authorisation for vaccination from one person (with parental authority) is sufficient. It is maintained that from the age of 16, minors do not need parental consent to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Changes in quarantine and isolation
Quarantines related to contact cases will be abolished.
In the case of isolation, the period (usually 10 days) can be shortened if the infected person performs 2 rapid antigen SARS-CoV-2 tests within 24 hours of each other with negative results. This new duration of isolation applies to all persons, regardless of their vaccination status.
These new COVID-19 sanitary measures come into force from 11 February 2022 and will remain applicable until 30 April 2022 inclusive.
Press release by the Ministry of Health / Ministry of State