PARIS (Reuters) – France’s Constitutional Council approved Friday the new COVID-19 vaccination pass. This will allow people 16 years and older to present proof of vaccination in order to gain entry to public spaces such as bars, restaurants, and cinemas.

This new pass is President Emmanuel Macron’s attempt to make it difficult for the few unvaccinated to receive COVID shots.

This Council ruling allows the vaccine pass, which will take effect Jan. 24, to replace a health card that shows proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Council supported the government’s desire that everyone over 16 years old must present a vaccine card. The legislation also included a clause that allowed bar managers and restaurant owners to verify a person’s identification to prevent the use of fake certificates or other third-party certificates.

However, it overturned an earlier requirement that a valid health pass was required in order to be allowed to vote at rallies. The Council stated that such a requirement would restrict people’s ability to express their views and opinions, less than three months prior to an election.

Weekly street protests against COVID-related restrictions to public life have gained momentum with the vaccine pass.

Some who oppose the vaccination claim Macron has made them feel second-class citizens.

France had more than 425,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday. The hospitals report that the vast majority of COVID patients under intensive care have not been vaccinated.

This story corrects that Council has overturned the requirement for a health pass’ to be used in political meetings.