France: Authorities to expand requirement for COVID-19 health passports from July 21 /update 55

Event

The French government plans to expand the requirement for the usage of health passports over the coming weeks as part of its effort to stem a new wave of COVID-19 transmission. Effective July 21, health passports will be required to enter cultural and leisure venues accommodating more than 50 people. Authorities plan to make the document mandatory for entering bars, cafes, restaurants, and hospitals, as well as for riding on long-distance public transport starting in early August, although no exact date has as yet been announced. Health passes are used to provide evidence of full vaccination, having recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months, or having tested negative within the last 48 hours.

Facemasks remain mandatory in indoor public spaces and limited circumstances in outdoor public spaces where many people are gathering. Most businesses and services are permitted to operate, subject to capacity limits and social distancing requirements. Restaurants, bars, and pubs are permitted to serve customers up to full capacity. Events of up to 5,000 people are permitted.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities are maintaining international entry restrictions as of July 12. France uses a three-tiered, color-coded system to classify countries based on COVID-19 risk and imposes entry restrictions accordingly. Green countries are those assessed to have the lowest disease risk, with orange countries being considered moderate risk and red being those with the highest risk.

Travelers from green countries do not need to provide a pressing reason for travel to France; however, unvaccinated travelers arriving from these countries must present a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before departure for France. Vaccinated travelers arriving from green countries must present proof of vaccination. As of July 9, the green list includes EU countries and Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Lebanon, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, North Macedonia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the US, Vanuatu, and Vatican City.

Restrictions on travel from red countries are generally the same for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, except that vaccinated travelers may self-isolate for seven days. In contrast, unvaccinated travelers must enter a 10-day quarantine under the supervision of security forces. All travelers from red countries are also required to have pressing grounds for travel, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before departure for France, and are subject to a COVID-19 test on arrival. As of July 9, red countries include Afghanistan, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, DRC, India, Maldives, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Uruguay, and Zambia.

All other countries are currently classified as orange. Travelers from these countries, including those vaccinated, must present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure for France or a negative result from an antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. Unvaccinated travelers from orange countries must also have pressing grounds for travel, may be randomly selected to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and must self-isolate for seven days on entry.

All travelers must also fill out a sworn declaration form before travel; unvaccinated travelers from orange countries and all travelers from red countries must also fill out a certificate of international travel before arrival. Both forms are available by clicking here. For a detailed list of entry restrictions, including current country color classifications, click here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Government of France Coronavirus Information
Certificate for Travel During Curfew Hours
World Health Organization (WHO)