Update on French vaccination process for Six Nations

NEWS: All athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, government sources told AFP on Monday.

This appears to contradict what Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said last week, that certain events like the French Open had a special exemption when asked whether Novak Djokovic could play in the tournament.

For ordinary citizens entering France, it is not obligatory to be vaccinated but will be for those wishing to enter an establishment which has a public attendance (ERP).

Major events like the French Open previously permitted non-vaccinated athletes to compete as they operated a health bubble round the tournament.

The first major event to be directly affected would be the upcoming Six Nations rugby championship when France will host Italy (Feb 6), Ireland (Feb 12) and England (March 19).

While later in the year, the Springboks are also scheduled to tour France for a Test against Les Bleus on November 12, with the Wallabies set to play there a week later on November 19.