COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in France (14 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from a country on the approved list can enter metropolitan France without any COVID-19-related restrictions or paperwork. These countries include the Member States of the European Union, Andorra, the Vatican, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand.

• Travellers arriving from countries not on the approved list can only enter France for essential travel or special cases with entry restrictions and paperwork. The full list of exemptions can be found here.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transiting through France is allowed. However, only direct transit to reach the final destination is permitted. Transit passengers are prohibited from leaving the transit area/international zone and are prohibited from entering France. International transits must be of less than 24 hours duration. Transiting passengers must produce travel documents to the final destination.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Air passengers without a negative test certificate will be tested on arrival.

• Travellers may be subject to testing or passengers may randomly have temperature checks upon arrival. The French government has announced they will soon begin Rapid COVID-19 tests for departing and arriving travellers.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers from the approved list may enter without restrictions.

• Travellers over age 11 arriving from Bahrain, Panama, United Arab Emirates, or the United States of America must have a negative PCR test certificate, carried out less than 72 hours before departure, before boarding. Travellers will not be able to board without this document.

• Arrivals from countries not named above will be invited to present negative test results taken 72 hours before departure or may opt to take a test on arrival. They will be invited to quarantine if they do not do so.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from a country on the approved list of countries, who have not visited a country that is not on the list, in the month before they arrive in metropolitan France, will not be subject to an isolation period.

• Travellers arriving from a country, not on the list of approved countries, or those who have visited a country not on the list in the month before their arrival, will be subject to a 14-day isolation period if they do not present a negative PCR certificate carried out less than 72 hours before departure, or if they have symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival.

Entry form required?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from other countries not on the approved list must have these two documents:

• An exempted international movement certificate for travel to metropolitan France. Travellers must present this certificate to travel companies before using their travel ticket, as well as to border control authorities (for travel by air, sea and land, including by rail);

• A sworn declaration that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

• These documents can be downloaded in French and English from the Ministry of the Interior website.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The government has introduced a coronavirus app called “TousAntiCovid” app.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports are open, and commercial passenger flights are operating.

• Reusable masks are not allowed in aeroplanes. Travellers must wear disposable surgical-type masks while onboard.

• Air France has resumed international flight operations, adapting flight schedules in line with travel restrictions and demand.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Most non-EU/Schengen international borders continue to remain closed.

• Travel between mainland France and French Overseas Territories is currently permitted for urgent family or professional reasons. Travellers must complete and carry an exempted movement certificate and a declaration that they do not carry COVID-19 symptoms. These documents can be downloaded or accessed from the Ministry of the Interior’s website. On arrival in France from one of the Overseas Territories, travellers will be encouraged to get tested or observe a 14-day quarantine period.

Curfew restrictions

• Total

• The country will be under a total lockdown until at least 1 December. People will not be allowed to leave their homes except for essential purposes, including education, medical or grocery shopping. People will need to carry a justification or exemption form available via the government website or the “TousAntiCovid” app, explaining the reason to be out of their homes.

• A nationwide “State of Emergency” has been imposed.

• The French government announced that any loosening of restrictions after the end of the lockdown period (1 December) will be limited to certain businesses only.

Social distancing restrictions

• Significant

• Public gatherings are banned.

• Teleworking is recommended whenever possible.

• Physical/social distance of at least 1 meter must be maintained.

• People are allowed to leave their homes to exercise for one hour per day. People must stay within 1 km radius of their homes and carry a form to justify their need to be outside of their homes.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Face masks are mandatory on public transport for all users aged 11 or above. Face coverings are also compulsory in taxis and private for-hire vehicles without a plexiglass screen.

• A ban on regional travel will be in effect during the lockdown period.

• Travel to holiday homes is banned. Visits to family and friends and all travel within France is banned.

• High-speed inter-city train services have been reduced in France due to the lockdown.

Non-essential shops open?

• No

• All non-essential business will be closed during the lockdown. Only essential businesses will be allowed, such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

• Selling of non-essential items in supermarkets is banned.

• In Paris, shops selling takeaway drinks and food must close by 22:00.

Accommodations open?

• No

• All non-essential business will be closed during the lockdown.

Restaurants open?

• No

• Restaurants will be closed. Take-away services may be available.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• All non-essential business will be closed during the lockdown.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• No

• All non-essential business will be closed during the lockdown.

Personal care services open?

• No

• All non-essential business will be closed during the lockdown.

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Places of worship may open for weddings (maximum 6 people) and funerals (maximum 30 people). Masks are mandatory.

Events allowed?

• No with exceptions

• Public gatherings are banned, except for weddings and funerals with 6 and 30 people, respectively.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• In every zone, wearing face masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. There has been an increase in the number of cities and regions that require face masks to be worn in all outdoor places, including Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Nantes, Saint-Herblain, Bouguenais, Saint-Sebastian-sur-Loire, and several others. Face masks are required for everyone age 11 or above.

Other

• Kindergartens, schools and creches will remain open. Masks will be required for anyone above the age of six. Universities will be required to provide distance learning.

• Public services will be allowed to remain open.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.