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Everything that changes in France in November 2017

The start of November on Wednesday heralds some pretty significant changes to daily life if you live in France. Read on.

Published: 31 October 2017 11:50 CET
Everything that changes in France in November 2017
Photo: AFP

Car registrations

In the past anyone who bought a car, whether new or second hand had to go to the prefecture to obtain a “carte gris”, the name given to the registration certificate.

From November 6th however buyers of cars in France MUST apply for one online by visiting this website.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Carte Gris.

Doctors visits

The cost of visiting a doctor in France will rise from November for certain patients with complex health problems or for those who require a more thorough consultation.

A visit to a general doctor will remain 25 euros but for those suffering from issues that require a more complex examination and consultation such as eating disorders, advice on contraception or asthma or neurological disorders will have to pay either 45 euros, or even 60 euros if it is judged “very complex”.

Postal deliveries

From November 19th France's La Poste will deliver packages on Sunday via its Chronopost service in 14 of the biggest cities, plus Paris and the Ile de France region. The service will be rolled out to cover all of France in 2018.

Winter truce begins

France's annual winter truce begins on Wednesday November 1st. This is not a ceasefire between politicians or between those who say pain au chocolat and their chocolatine enemies. It's a truce between landlords and tenants which means no one can be evicted until April next year, even if the owner has a court order giving them the green light.

If you want to know more about the winter truce click here.

Civil partnerships

Civil partnerships in France, known as PACS, must now be signed by the couple in the Town Hall as is the case for marriages. Previously, couples had to sign up to a civil union at the tribunal d'instance or district court. All administration relating to the PACS union, even annulling one, has been passed on to Town Halls.

Unemployment benefits for elderly residents

The time period for which over 50s can claim unemployment benefit (chomage) changes in November. Chomeurs aged 50 to 53 can claim for a maximum period of two years, while those aged 53 and 54 have two-and-a-half years, and those aged 55 and over can receive payments for three years. Previously, anyone aged 50 or more who was entitled to chomage could claim for three years.

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Everything that changes in Switzerland in February 2021

The new year is just clicking into gear, but February 2021 is already bringing with it some important changes.

Published: 1 February 2021 14:41 CET
Everything that changes in Switzerland in February 2021
Photo by Louis from Pexels

We're only one month into 2021, but already a few things are changing. From car stickers to alarms – and of course coronavirus – are some important changes for February 2021. 

Car stickers

You had the entire month of January to purchase the 2021 motorway sticker to affix on your windshield. If you haven’t done it yet, then as of February 1st you could be fined 200 francs if you are caught driving on a motorway without it.

Testing the alarm signal

The general alarm signal will be tested nationwide, as it is every year, on February 3rd at 1.30 pm. The cantons will also broadcast a notification on the Alertswiss channels.

The general alarm signal – a steady oscillating siren lasting one minute – is intended  to alert the population of an impending emergency or disaster. 

Fines for failing to comply with coronavirus measures

Anyone who violates a coronavirus measure in Switzerland is liable for a fine of between 50 and 200 francs. 

The fines were decided upon at a meeting on January 27th and will be put in place from February 1st.

They are in addition to existing fines of up to 10,000 francs for failing to quarantine. 

EXPLAINED: What are the details of Switzerland's coronavirus restrictions? 

Anyone who fails to wear a mask in public transport, stations or other areas where masks are required risks a fine of up to 200 francs. 

The fines can also be issued for anyone who participates in a prohibited event or who organises an event or gathering which contravenes the country’s coronavirus measures. 

Under Switzerland's Epidemics Act, people can be fined up to CHF5,000 for negligent behaviour against coronavirus measures, and CHF10,000 for wilful behaviour. 

These fines are most often threatened for people who breach quarantine rules.

Railway disruptions

From Monday February 8th to April 1st, circulation at Bern Bümpliz Sud train station will be possible on one track only. This will result in a longer journey time between Fribourg and Bern.

Service in Bern between the IR15 train (Geneva-Airport-Lucerne) and the IC8 (Brig – Bern – Zurich – Romanshorn) may be disrupted.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is recommending that passengers from French-speaking Switzerland travelling to Zurich and beyond use the IC1 trains via Bern or IC5 via Biel. 

Shorter quarantines

From February 8th, Switzerland will shorten the applicable coronavirus quarantine from ten days to seven.

This means those told to self-isolate can come out of quarantine after seven days, rather than 10, with a negative test result.

The quarantine rule also applies to incoming travellers from a country with a high risk of infection.

READ MORE: Switzerland to shorten coronavirus quarantine, require negative PCR test on all flight arrivals 

Free coronavirus testing

Switzerland has introduced free nationwide coronavirus testing programme for people without symptoms in an effort to prevent large-scale outbreaks.

From January 28th, “the federal government pays for persons without symptoms to be tested so that those who are particularly vulnerable can be better protected and local outbreaks of infection can be contained early on”, authorities announced on Wednesday. 

The government said it was prepared to spend more than a billion dollars the scheme, saying asymptomatic people were probably responsible for most new infections.

EXPLAINED: How will Switzerland’s mass testing scheme work?

Mandatory PCR test for all air arrivals

In addition, anyone arriving by air will need to present a negative PCR test from February 1st. 

This applies to people from high-risk and non-high-risk countries. Those arriving not by air will have to show a PCR test only if they are coming from a high-risk country. 

Electronic form required to enter Switzerland

Everyone who enters Switzerland other than by car is required to complete an electronic form before entering from February 8th onwards. 

The measure was announced on Wednesday, January 28th, by the Swiss government.

Everyone entering via plane, ship, bus and train – but not via car – will be required to complete the electronic entry form.

According to the official government advice about the new requirement, “this means that infections can be traced back more quickly and easily and chains of infection can be broken early.”

More information is available at the following link. 

READ MORE: All passengers arriving in Switzerland required to register from February 8th 

End of shutdown

If the epidemiological situation allows it, the current coronavirus shutdown measures, such as the closure of restaurants, bars and non-essential businesses, should end on the last day of the month – February 28th.

These businesses have been shuttered since January 18th in an attempt to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variants from the UK and South Africa. 

Stay tuned to The Local Switzerland for coverage of Switzerland's coronavirus lockdown. 

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