As the country grapples with the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, cinemas, museums, and sports facilities in France have begun requiring visitors to provide confirmation of COVID vaccination or a negative test, according to AFP.

Before being expanded to restaurants, cafés, and shopping malls in August, the “health pass” is required for all activities or venues where more than 50 people are present.

Prime Minister Jean Castex defended the approach, arguing that those who have not been immunised account for almost all new outbreaks.

“We’re in the fourth wave,” Castex told TF1 television, aadding that the primary objective of the health pass is to prevent a fourth nationwide lockdown.

Also Read: France rolls out new COVID health pass as cases surge

On Wednesday, the number of new infections in 24 hours reached 21,000, the highest level since early May.

Health Minister Olivier Veran slammed vaccination sceptics who claim the government is infringing on their right to choose.

“Freedom is not about dodging taxes, or driving the wrong way up the motorway, or smoking in a restaurant or refusing a vaccine that protects me as much as it protects others,” he told parliament.

On Wednesday, the vaccination checks began at the Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower, among other locations.

However, while most tourists had their vaccination certificates on hand, having displayed them upon entering the country, the new restrictions caught some French citizens off guard.

Also Read: France’s new 24-hour negative COVID test report for European travellers

Marie-Ange Rodrigues, 28, of the Paris neighbourhood of Rosny-sous-Bois, was startled to be turned away from a movie screening after having received her second vaccination injection.

“It’s rubbish!” she said about the requirement to be fully vaccinated for at least a week.

According to the government, almost 38 million individuals, or 56% of the French population, have received at least one dose of a vaccine, with nearly 46% having been completely vaccinated.

By the end of the summer, the government hopes to have administered at least one shot to 50 million individuals.