France: coronavirus recognized as an occupational illness

On 15 September a decree published in the Official Journal (here) opened a small door for workers who have worked in establishments particularly exposed to the risk of Covid-19 contamination and solely for the most severe forms of the virus. Indeed, this decree provides for the automatic official recognition of SARS-CoV2 as an occupational disease for all caregivers, and maintenance and administrative staff who have worked in the field of healthcare or medical-social institutions and who have suffered from acute respiratory infections caused by an SARS-CoV2 infection that required respiratory assistance. Other employees, particularly those who have worked on the front line, as well as those who have suffered from ‘less severe’ conditions related to the virus, will be required to demonstrate the link between their Covid-19 infection and their work. The decree gives a specific committee the responsibility to review workers’ requests for their conditions to officially qualify as an occupational illness. The committee will be ‘streamlined to allow for faster investigation of cases, while maintaining a guarantee of impartiality’ the decree explains. In France, official recognition as an occupational illness allows for 100% healthcare cost cover, more advantageous daily allowance cover and lastly, compensation (annuity or lumpsum) in the event of permanent disability that is also paid to beneficiaries in the event of death. In order to prevent the employers concerned from bearing the financial burden of such compensation, the government has announced it is drafting an order that will provide for a pooling of the related expenses among all employers.