FranceFraudulent Covid passports to be punished with monetary fines and imprisonment
Following an initial tolerance during the first week of implementation, French prefectures announced an increase of checks and hefty fines on Monday.
Since 9 August, France has extended the use of the health pass to most public places, restaurants, bars, cafés, hospitals, as well as all forms of long-distance public transport. While authorities opted for clemency during the first week, the discourse has now significantly changed.
The Moselle prefecture issued a statement to announce the “end of tolerance”. Given the strong presence of the delta variant all across France, as well as the high incidence rate in Moselle, the intensification of the message seems apparent.
Overview of potential fines
Every person who does not respect the obligation of a valid Covid pass risks the following fines:
- Not being able to present the pass: €135, or €200 in case of a repeat offence within 15 days, and up to six months of imprisonment and €3,750 in case of a repeat offence within 30 days.
- Presenting a fraudulent pass: up to €45,000 and three years of imprisonment
- Businesses failing to check the pass: administrative closure of the commerce, and up to €9,000 and a year of imprisonment in case of more than three repeat offences within 45 days.
- Public transport failing to check the pass: €1,000, or up to €9,000 and one year of imprisonment in case of more than three repeat offences within 30 days.
People should be aware of these fines, given that French authorities are set to increase the frequency of checks as of Monday 16 August.
