Protests in France to block use of Covid health pass Robert Besser 04 Aug 2021, 17:55 GMT+10 Thousands of people in Paris and other French cities protested against the introduction of a mandatory COVID-19 health pass The new pass, to be used for entry to various public venues, was introduced by the French government, which is battling the fourth wave of the pandemic Some 3,000 police officers were deployed in Paris, with anti-riot officers seeking to keep protestors on pre-planned routes PARIS, France: Thousands of people in Paris and other French cities protested against the introduction of a mandatory COVID-19 health pass. The new pass, to be used for entry to various public venues, was introduced by the French government, which is battling the fourth wave of the pandemic.