Work and COVID-19: What are the rules?
Verified 15 May 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Specific provisions are being put in place in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These provisions vary depending on whether you are an employee of private law or a public official.
Employee
Since 14 March 2022, the health protocol in company has ceased to apply.
Masks and social distancing are no longer required.
Hygiene practices, such as hand washing, surface cleaning and ventilation of rooms, are still recommended.
Teleworking is no longer mandatory, but is still recommended.
One Covid-19 risk prevention measures guide replaces the national protocol in company.
Since May 14, 2023, the obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19 among health professionals and students is suspended.
Warning
The compensation package for vulnerable people has taken ending january 31, 2023.
You are considered a vulnerable employee if you respond to 3 of the cumulative criteria the following, as assessed by a doctor:
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Have a history of cardiovascular disease (CTEA): complicated hypertension (with cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular complications), CTEA, stroke or coronary artery disease, cardiac surgery, heart failure stage NYHA III or IV
- Have diabetes that is uncontrolled or has complications
- Have a chronic respiratory condition that may decompensate during a viral infection (obstructive pulmonary disease, severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, sleep apnea syndrome, cystic fibrosis in particular)
- Have severe chronic kidney disease
- Have active cancer while on treatment (excluding hormone therapy)
- Have obesity (body mass index > 30 kgm2)
- Have cirrhosis with at least Child Pugh B
- Have a major sickle cell syndrome or a history of splenectomy
- Be on 3e trimester of pregnancy
- Have motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia or hemiplegia, a primary cerebral malignant tumor, progressive cerebellar disease, or a rare disorder
- Having trisomy 21
This is also the case if you have a congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, which is not severe:
- Medicinal products (anti-cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, biotherapy and/or immunosuppressive dose corticosteroids)
- Uncontrolled HIV infection or CD4 counts < 200/mm3
- Following solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Related to hematological malignancy during treatment.
If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you several steps.
No longer is any justification required by the French authorities to justify a trip from France, in mainland France or overseas, nor is any proof of departure from the territory required to travel to another country.
However, foreigners may retain specific measures and formalities for access to their territory.
For health rules on entering another country, you are invited to consult the "Travel Advice" section of the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
General case
If you have made a (professional) trip abroad, you no longer have to complete any formalities before your arrival in France, in mainland France or overseas. The presentation of the health history may no longer be required, irrespective of the country or zone of provenance.
The same goes for travel between the metropolis and each of the ultramarine territories.
From China
Since february 16, 2023, if you are traveling from China to France (in mainland France as well as overseas) by plane don't have to to present at boarding the result of a negative Covid test of less than 48 hours and the declaration on honor that you do not show any symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
Random testing on arrival is being phased out.
However, from boarding, you must wear a mask on the airplane single-use surgery unless you have a medical exemption.
Warning
As of 31 July 2022, the partial activity scheme for employees who have child-care responsibilities and are unable to work remotely has been terminated.
Your child under the age of 16 or with a disability (regardless of age) has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you need to keep it, you can:
- telework, in agreement with your employer
- or place a sick child leave. You must provide a medical certificate stating that your child is ill in order to benefit from this leave and send it to your employer as soon as possible.
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you several steps.
Public official
As of March 14, 2022, the health protocol in company ceases to apply.
Masks and social distancing are no longer required.
Hygiene practices, such as hand washing, surface cleaning and ventilation of rooms, are still recommended.
Teleworking is no longer mandatory, but is still recommended.
One Covid-19 risk prevention measures guide replaces the national protocol in company.
Since May 14, 2023, the obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19 among health professionals and students is suspended.
Warning
The Special Absence Authorization (SAA) ended on February 28, 2023.
You are in a medical situation of vulnerability if you are in one of the following situations:
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Have a history of cardiovascular disease (CTEA): complicated hypertension (with cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular complications), CTEA, stroke or coronary artery disease, cardiac surgery, heart failure stage NYHA III or IV
- Have diabetes that is uncontrolled or has complications
- Have a chronic respiratory condition that may decompensate during a viral infection (obstructive pulmonary disease, severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, sleep apnea syndrome, cystic fibrosis in particular)
- Have severe chronic kidney disease
- Have active cancer while on treatment (excluding hormone therapy)
- Have obesity (body mass index > 30 kgm2)
- Have cirrhosis with at least Child Pugh B
- Have a major sickle cell syndrome or a history of splenectomy
- Be on 3e trimester of pregnancy
- Have motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia or hemiplegia, a primary cerebral malignant tumor, progressive cerebellar disease, or a rare disorder
- Having trisomy 21
This is also the case if you have a congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, which is not severe:
- Medicinal products (anti-cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, biotherapy and/or immunosuppressive dose corticosteroids)
- Uncontrolled HIV infection or CD4 counts < 200/mm3
- Following solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Related to hematological malignancy during treatment.
This is also the case if you are severely immunocompromised because you are in one of the following situations:
- Have received an organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant
- Under lymphopenic chemotherapy
- Be treated with strong immunosuppressive drugs, such as antimetabolites (cellcept, myfortic, mycophenolate mofetil, imurel, azathioprine) and AntiCD20 (rituximab: Mabthera, Rixathon, Truxima)
- On a case-by-case basis, if you are on immunosuppressants of another category or have primary acquired immunodeficiency
- Be on chronic dialysis
If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you several steps.
No longer is any justification required by the French authorities to justify a trip from France, in mainland France or overseas, nor is any proof of departure from the territory required to travel to another country.
However, foreigners may retain specific measures and formalities for access to their territory.
For the health rules on entering the territory of another country, you are invited to consult the "travel advice" section of the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
General case
If you have made a (professional) trip abroad, you no longer have to complete any formalities before your arrival in France, in mainland France or overseas. The presentation of the health history may no longer be required, irrespective of the country or zone of provenance.
The same goes for travel between the metropolis and each of the ultramarine territories.
From China
Since february 16, 2023, if you are traveling from China to France (in mainland France as well as overseas) by plane don't have to to present at boarding the result of a negative Covid test of less than 48 hours and the declaration on honor that you do not show any symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
Random testing on arrival is being phased out.
However, from boarding, you must wear a mask on the airplane single-use surgery unless you have a medical exemption.
Warning
Since 31 July 2022, the special absence authorization (Asa) scheme for public officials who are required to care for their children and cannot work remotely has been terminated.
Your child under the age of 16 or with a disability (regardless of age) has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you need to keep it, you can:
- telework, in agreement with your employer
- or request a sick child leave. You must provide a medical certificate stating that your child is ill in order to benefit from this authorization and transmit it to your employer as soon as possible.
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you several steps.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Covid-19 Information Number
Available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Free call
By telephone
0800 130 000
- Law No. 2020-473 of Finance Amendment for 2020: Article 20
- Law n°2021-689 of 31 May 2021 on the management of the health crisis exit
- Law n°2021-1040 of 5 August 2021 on the management of the health crisis
- Decree n°2020-1262 of 16 October 2020 on hygiene and distancing rules during the health crisis
- Decree No. 2021-13 providing for derogations relating to the benefit of daily allowances and supplementary allowance and the conditions for covering certain health expenses
- Decree No. 2021-1162 of 8 September 2021 adopted for the application of article 20 of Law No. 2020-473 of amending finance for 2020
- Circular of 9 September 2021 on the identification and protection modalities of civilian public officials identified as vulnerable to Covid-19 (PDF - 217.4 KB)
- Decree No. 2021-699 of 1 June 2021 prescribing the general measures necessary to manage the exit from the health crisis
- Order of 1 June 2021 laying down the general measures necessary to manage the exit from the health crisis
- Law n°2022-1089 of 30 July 2022 ending the emergency regimes created to fight the COVID-19 epidemic
- Order of 30 July 2022 amending the Order of 1 June 2021 laying down the general measures necessary for managing the exit from the health crisis and repealing the Order of 7 June 2021
- Decree No. 2022-1097 of 30 July 2022 on the monitoring and health security measures maintained in the fight against COVID-19
- Decree No. 2022-1369 of 27 October 2022 on vulnerable persons at proven risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19 infection
- LAW No. 2022-1616 of 23 December 2022 on financing social security for 2023
- Decree No. 2022-1771 of 30 December 2022 introducing health checks for flights from China
- Decree No. 2023-368 of 13 May 2023 on the suspension of the covid-19 vaccination requirement for professionals and students
- Guide to COVID-19 risk prevention measures (PDF - 111.0 KB)Ministry of Labor
- Covid-19: Find all useful informationNational Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
- Contact case: testing and health instructionsNational Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
- Information Coronavirus OverseasMinistry responsible for overseas affairs
- Covid-19: International travelMinistry of the Interior
- Health Directory - Ameli SiteNational Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
- SI-DEP Portal - National Covid-19 Population Screening Information SystemMinistry of Health