Some French supermarkets are now requiring their customers to show a COVID pass before entering.
The measure is sparking much controversy as a video showing police blocking the entrance of a supermarket to a group of people has immerged on Twitter.
Over the past few weeks, France has extended COVID pass requirements to nearly all basic venues including bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, trains, stadiums, and gyms. Supermarkets are the latest addition to this list. This week, some French supermarket chains have announced that they are now requiring customers to show a valid COVID pass before entering stores whose surfaces exceed 20,000 square meters (approximately 215,278 square feet), in areas where the COVID incidence rate is over 200 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Notices informing shoppers of the new regulation have been placed at the entrance of many supermarkets. One from Carrefour (pictured) reads: “Welcome! From Monday August 16 onward, have your COVID passes ready for a serene shopping experience.”
There are only two ways French citizens can obtain the “sanitary pass.” One is to show proof of a “full vaccination package” which becomes valid a week after receiving both shots of a COVID-19 vaccine. The other is to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result obtained within the last 72 hours (an extension from the previous standard of 48 hours). The cost of PCR tests is currently covered by French social security, but as of mid-October this will no longer be the case.
A fine of up to 750 euros (approx. $818 US) is applicable to people presenting a fake or fraudulent COVID pass. The fine increases to 1500 euros (approx. $1754 US) for a second offense and to 3750 euros (approx. $4384 US) for a third.
The French department (administrative region) of Gironde, which launched the use of COVID bracelets on Wednesday, is one of 24 departments where the new measure applies. A prefectorial decree released on August 13 indicated that the COVID pass would be required to access the ten biggest supermarkets in the department from Monday, August 16 to Tuesday, August 31.
The document states: “Because of the active circulation of the virus (…) COVID pass checks will be carried out at the entrance of the stores before people are allowed to move freely.”
According to Franceinfo, the 24 departments have enforced the COVID pass since August 16 for access to a total of 144 supermarkets.
The new measure is not universally popular. Some claim it has no legal basis, even according to Decree 2021-1059 of August 7, that is, the new French law on the management of the COVID crisis. This legislation specifies that the extension of the COVID pass must be carried out “with conditions guaranteeing access to essential goods and services, including, in some cases, public transport.” Those against the new measure interpret this passage in a way that would make barring access to supermarkets to people without a COVID pass illegal.
A video appeared on Twitter showing a group of people with no COVID pass gathered in front of an E. Leclerc supermarket in Pau, a city in southwestern France, demanding entry. When security guards and police barred them from entering, the protestors shouted “Discrimination” before demanding to see a document proving the legal basis of this policy. They then shouted for the manager.
In response to complaints from the many customers who deem the measure illegal, the French supermarket group Carrefour issued a statement simply inviting the unhappy customers to take their grievances to the Prefects:
“The application of the COVID pass was dictated by the prefectures. We only apply the rules that were communicated to us,” wrote Carrefour group, adding that according to the prefectorial decree, “the COVID pass is required to enter these supermarkets regardless of the types of goods intended to be purchased.”
The prefecture of Gironde explained that some supermarkets with a surface equal to or exceeding 20,000 square meters might be exempt from the rule in cases where no smaller business is available nearby to serve people without a COVID pass. Each prefecture is responsible for studying the area around the supermarkets that are affected by this measure. This means that in supermarkets where the rule is maintained, no exemptions can be granted to anyone because it is thought that people without a COVID pass can buy their groceries elsewhere in the area. For this reason, no one without a COVID pass will be allowed access to supermarkets where the pass was made obligatory even for the purchase of essential goods.
The prefecture of Haute-Garonne also indicated that prefects are within their right to shut supermarkets that do not conform to the new law, especially if multiple violations are reported by police.
In reaction to all this, some have called for the boycott of big supermarket chains, which means they now face losing a significant part of their customer base. Small businesses, on the other hand, might experience a sudden boom, at least in areas where the new decree applies.
According to the Conseil Constitutionel, France’s highest constitutional authority, the COVID pass, implemented since August 9, is expected to apply until November 15, 2021. However, the timeframe may either be shortened or extended depending on “the necessity” as the spokesperson of the French government Gabriel Attal indicated on July 28.
“We will use the COVID pass as long as it is necessary,” said Attal
He added, “As soon as we won’t need the pass anymore, we won’t use it.”
HD Editor’s Note: Why Is This News Biblically Relevant?
‘Our Freedoms Are Dying’
French cities have become frequently packed with thousands of citizens in recent months protesting vaccine passports, calling the mandates “an incredible blow” to “fundamental freedoms.”
Many of the protesters held French flags and signs which read “Our freedoms are dying.” The citizens in attendance at these peaceful protests have also called for the resignation of French President Emmanuel Marcon.
France is one of many nations that have attempted to force its population to receive the Coronavirus vaccine through the limitation of basic freedoms. Many governments across the globe are denying the unvaccinated access to select public spaces, jobs, businesses, and the ability to freely travel. Meanwhile, other nations have pressured businesses to do their dirty work to avoid direct mandates which have caused civil unrest.
In the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci last Sunday insisted Americans need to “put aside all of these issues of concern about liberties and personal liberties” and get vaccinated, “otherwise, we’re going to continue to suffer.”
Those opposed to vaccine passports/mandates have routinely been called “Anti-Science,” however, many insist this is far from an accurate representation.
Sen. Ted Cruz recently condemned vaccine mandates, calling them abusive, political, and “not driven by the science.”
“And I think this is just abusive. It is dangerous where these government figures believe they have the right to impose rules on you — rules that they don’t intend to follow,” Cruz asserted. “It’s not driven by the science. It’s driven by the momentary politics. And if you have a reason why medically it’s a bad idea for you to take the vaccine, well, their view is tough for you. Then you lose your job. Then you can’t get on an airplane. Then you can’t go to school. Then you can’t go to a restaurant. Then, apparently, you’re cast into utter darkness.”
“It’s not tied to the science,” the Senator continued. “One example — Dr. Fauci and the CDC and the Biden administration repeatedly ignores natural immunity. It ignores the immunity of tens of millions of people who’ve had COVID. That’s politically inconvenient, so they pretend it doesn’t exist.”
Many have also stated that Christians, specifically, have a responsibility to stand against such mandates.
David Fiorazo in his most recent article, “Resisting Medical Tyranny, Passports & Politics,” wrote:
“Christian churches already have a track record of folding under pressure last year, closing doors and conforming to secular government mandates, ordinances, and double standards. We failed the Covid test,” he lamented. “One reason we have not successfully fought to maintain our freedoms is a faulty understanding of Romans 13 and we have been told our rights come from the state, not God.”
“Will the true church stand united to love our governing authorities by telling them they have gone beyond their mandate and are taking the place of God by seeking to bind the conscience of the people?” he questioned. “How will the church respond to further government force, Hollywood and big tech marketing, and media manipulation?”
“Who will be the conscience of the nation, and the voice of truth if not for the church of Jesus Christ?” Fiorazo urged. “If you desire to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel, you will oppose mandatory vaccines. You will oppose it because it is contrary to God’s design and boundaries he has established for human governments. We will render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but our bodies belong to the Lord as temples of the Holy Spirit, therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)”
RECCOMENDED: “Terry James: Foreshadowing The Mark”
Many also who have read the Bible and what it says about future events, state that vaccine mandates have become jaw-droppingly similar to what we read in Revelation 13 regarding the “mark of the beast.”
In this chapter, the Bible speaks of a coming global leader who will mandate a “mark” on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this “mark”, people will be restricted from being able to buy or sell.
It is very important to state here, that we do not believe the vaccine to be this mark for a myriad of reasons, which the Bible makes clear. However, it does seem undeniable that what we are currently witnessing is being used to desensitize people to such Government overreach and is a harbinger of things the Bible says will come.
As Terry James explains, “If you know Jesus Christ for salvation, according to Romans 10:9-10, you will never have to worry about taking Antichrist’s mark. The current vaccinations for COVID, or for any other disease, is not that prophesied mark. It will come on the scene during the Tribulation, after the Rapture of the Church.“
All these things show clearly the stage is being set and Jesus is coming very soon.
Luke 21:25 KJV – “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
