French President Emmanuel Macron said he stood by his earlier comments saying he wanted to “piss off” the five million French people who are still not vaccinated against Covid-19, adding it was his responsibility to sound the alarm given the Omicron threat.

“I stand by my earlier comments,” said Macron, as he hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her trip to Paris.

He added it was the authorities' obligation to place restrictions against those who are not vaccinated, to protect the more than 90 per cent of French citizens who are vaccinated.