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HEALTH

France introduces strict new travel restrictions on arrivals from the UK

From Monday, France has brought in strict new travel rules for the UK including a ban on all non-essential travel and a compulsory seven-day quarantine.

France introduces strict new travel restrictions on arrivals from the UK
Photo: Christophe Archambault/AFP

The tightening of travel restrictions is in reaction to fears over the ‘Indian variant’ of Covid which has seen a big growth in cases in the UK in recent days, and follows in the footsteps of Germany and Austria, which have also restricted travel from the UK.

At present the rules apply to all arrivals, including those who are fully vaccinated.

The new rules, which came into force at 0.01am on Monday, May 31st, are;

  • Travel is only allowed from the UK for vital reasons or motif imperieux, similar to the restrictions in place between December and March. Travel to second homes or to visit family and friends is not accepted as a vital reason. You will also need to fill in a form stating your reason, find it HERE
  • People who are resident in France – including British residents – do not need to prove a vital reason to return to France, nor will French citizens or citizens of another EU country who live in France or the EU
  • Anyone over the age of 11 entering France from the UK needs to show a negative PCR or antigen test taken within the previous 48 hours (not 72 hours as was previously the rule)
  • Arrivals should self-isolate for seven days, although this will not be enforced by police visits

You can read a full breakdown of the rules on travel between France and the UK here

Speaking on France Info on Monday morning, France’s Europe minister Clément Beaune said that the quarantine for UK arrivals will not be enforced by the police, in the way that it is for arrivals from India, but that France “will go further if necessary”.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry said: “Compelling reasons will be required for non-EU foreign nationals not resident in France joining France from the UK.

“A PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours old will be required from anyone travelling to France from the UK;

“On arrival, travellers will be required to observe a 7-day isolation period. For the time being, given the low incidence of Covid in the UK, police checks on quarantine addresses will not be applied to them.”

People who live in France or another EU country can return home, but family visits, visits from second-home owners and holidays are not allowed.

You can find the full list of essential reasons HERE.

The testing and quarantine rules will apply to all arrivals into France from the UK, including French and EU citizens and people who have their permanent residence in France. 

READER QUESTION: Can I transit through France despite the new travel restrictions?

France already has in place strict rules on travel from India, which bans almost all transport and enforces a strict 10-day quarantine, enforced by visits from the police. This quarantine regime will not be enforced on arrivals from the UK. 

However the French government had become increasingly concerned about arrivals from the UK, which has seen a rapidly rising number of cases, particularly in hotspots in the north of England.

Member comments

  1. This is insane. The UK is averaging 2,000-3,000 cases per day, while France is still averaging 9,000. The UK has vaccinated HALF of its adult population FULLY, and around 75 percent have received the first dose. In France, around 17 percent are fully vaccinated, with 37 percent having received a first dose. Yet France is restricting visitors from the UK? The variants are already in France, anyway. This move seems political, not related to public health.

  2. Would it be possible to do a story on travel within Schengen? I need to be in Venice soon for business, and cannot fathom what documents I need. I am fully vaccinated, but my French or Italian is not good enough to deal with the small print.

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COVID-19 VACCINES

How to get a Covid vaccine in France this October

France launched a new Covid vaccination campaign on Monday. Everyone is eligible for a booster dose, although it is specifically recommended for high-risk groups. Here's how to get your shot.

How to get a Covid vaccine in France this October

Rising case numbers and the emergence of new variants pushed French health authorities to bring forward the new Covid vaccination campaign to October 2nd – it was initially scheduled to start on October 17th. 

While anyone can receive the vaccine, the Health Ministry is specifically recommending that the following groups to do so:

  • People over the age of 65;
  • People with co-morbidities;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Immunosuppressed people;
  • Care home residents or confined to a medical unit for long-term treatment;
  • Anyone who comes into regular contact with immunosuppressed people or people who a vulnerable to respiratory infections. 

French health authorities have indicated that they will prioritise the use of vaccines specifically adapted to the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant, which currently the main strain of the virus circulating in France. The main vaccine suited to tackling this sub-variant is the RNA Messenger vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, which also remains effective against other variants.

It is also possible to use Sanofi an Novavax vaccines, but Novavax will not have a vaccine adapted to the XBB.1.5 sub-variant until November.  

France is also launching a nationwide flu vaccination campaign later this month. You can read more about the necessary steps to get one here

How to get a Covid booster dose

Your GP (médecin traitant) should be able to give you a Covid booster on appointment. Pharmacy staff, nurses, dentists and midwives are also able to administer booster doses. If you want to receive a vaccine at the pharmacy, you should be able to set an appointment in the pharmacy itself or over the phone. 

The simplest way to book yourself for a booster dose (dose de rappel) is through the Doctolib website.  

READ MORE France’s autumn 2023 Covid vaccine booster campaign ‘will be open to all’

If you live in a care home or a special unit for people requiring long-term treatment, vaccination is organised on-site. 

The vaccination itself is free for anyone residing in France, even if you don’t yet have a carte vitale. If you do have a carte vitale however, you should bring it to your appointment.

When to receive a booster

The nationwide vaccination campaign began on October 2nd.

But you cannot get a booster if it has been less than 6 months since your last Covid infection (based on the date you tested positive) or your last vaccine shot. 

It is possible to receive a Covid vaccination and flu vaccination at the same time. If you wish to do so, you will need to wait until the flu vaccination campaign begins on October 17th. 

What about children? 

Children over the age of 5 are no longer recommended to have more than one vaccination against Covid-19. However, if your child has a comorbidity, such as asthma, you should consult with a medical professional to decide whether it could be worth getting a booster. 

For children under the age of five who have already had one vaccine dose or who have already been infected, it is still worth getting one more vaccine, according to French Health Authorities. For children under the age of five who have never received Covid vaccines or been infected, it is recommended that they get a total of three shots, with a 21-day gap between the first two, and an 8-week gap between the second and third. 

If you are in any doubt, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. 

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