French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on a TV screen as he speaks during a televised address to the nation from the temporary Grand Palais in Paris on July 12, 2021. (AFP)
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ordered all French health care workers to get virus vaccine shots by September 15 and urged all of his compatriots to get vaccinated as soon as possible. In a televised address, Macron also mandated special Covid-19 passes for anyone who wants to go to a restaurant, shopping mall or several other public places. The delta variant is driving France's virus infections back up again, just as the country kicked off summer vacation season after a long-awaited reopening process. Some 40% of France's population is fully vaccinated.