Sri Lanka, Sept. 17 -- About 3,000 health workers in France have been suspended because they have not been vaccinated against Covid-19.

A new rule, which came into force on Wednesday, made vaccination mandatory for the country's 2.7 million health, care home and fire service staff.

But French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday that "most of the suspensions are only temporary".

Many are now agreeing to get jabbed because "they see that the vaccination mandate is a reality", he said.

The rule applies to all doctors, nurses, office staff and volunteers.

President Emmanuel Macron first gave workers notice of the rule change on 12 July, warning them that they needed to get at least one jab by 15 September or resign from their ...