France's top constitutional body has approved extensions to the places where the controversial health pass is required. 

The Constitutional Council gave the green light to the government's plan to introduce the obligation to show your health pass in bars, restaurants, and on long-distance trains.

From August 9, customers at France's famous bars and bistros will have to show their health pass.

This can be in digital or paper form and it must show proof that: you are fully vaccinated; or you had a recent negative PCR test; or that you have recently had COVID-19 and have recovered.

But the council did not endorse every government proposal.

The nine members of the body, who scrutinize government legislation said, that health passes will only be required at hospitals if they present "no obstacles to patient access".

And they struck down the idea that permanent or temporary workers could have their contracts severed if they violate the law.

They did approve mandatory vaccinations for health workers.

Health passes are currently only compulsory for access to cultural or sporting venues. 

MPs and senators approved the legislation late last month.

Third vaccine doses from next month

French President Emmanuel Macron says that it is likely that the elderly and vulnerable people will need a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Making the announcement as part of a social media outreach campaign, Macron said that France is working on rolling these out from the start of September. 
 

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The French leader has been very active on his Instagram and TikTok accounts this week, posting daily videos answering questions on the French government's pandemic response. 

He is currently spending time at the presidential vacation retreat on the French Mediterranean coast and he has taken the opportunity to engage in the more relaxed format of policy discussion offered by social media.

This latest post clarifies the statement that President Macron made in his address to the nation on July 12, when he proposed that coronavirus booster shots could be required this autumn for people first vaccinated in January and February. 

Fourth wave restrictions continue to increase 

Meanwhile Occitania, the south-west French region that includes Toulouse and Montpellier, becomes the third region to launch its 'White Plan'. The plan allows hospitals to delay non-urgent operations to free up capacity for other patients.  

Southern Corsica has re-imposed the obligation to wear a face mask outside in public. A curfew is being re-introduced in the smaller French Caribbean islands of Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day until August 20, to deal with the surge in new infections.