PARIS: French cinemas, museums and sports venues began asking visitors on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to furnish proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative test as the country, which is in the throes of a fourth wave of infections, rolled out a controversial vaccine passport system. The so-called health pass is required for all events or places with more than 50 people before being extended to restaurants, cafés and shopping centers in August. Prime Minister Jean Castex defended the policy, noting that nearly all new infections are in people who have not been immunized.