France begins implementing a new tightening of rules in the fight against Covid-19, meaning people aged 65 and over will lose the validity of their health pass unless they have had a third booster shot, AFP reports.

The government says some 400,000 people aged 65 and over who are eligible for the booster shot have yet to take it, which is 12 per cent of those aged 80 and above and 10pc of those aged 65 to 79. People in the 65 plus age group who have failed to take up the booster shot will see the QR code in their health pass generated by a mobile phone app automatically dis-activated.

The rule, which further tightens one of the tightest health pass systems in Europe, will from January 15 be expanded across all age groups. The only option for people without a booster — other than to get one — will be to have a negative test a maximum of 24 hours old.