Here’s what travelers must know about France travel restrictions under the new nationwide lockdown.
France’s “lockdown 2” began at midnight Thursday, and continues at least until December 1. Though the lockdown rules are supposedly a “light” version of spring’s shutdown, the differences are not that great. At least, not when it comes to personal freedom.
That is, a stay-at-home order is back in force for a month. So if 67 million French people are subject to strict travel restrictions, travelers must expect to be too.
A similar picture can be seen throughout Europe, as new lockdowns – partial or full – snowball.
What To Know In A nutshell:
- Even if the EU internal borders are still open, travelers must fall in line with French lockdown rules.
- Stay at home orders limi trips outside pretty much to an hour a day.
- A travel declaration is mandatory for such trips. Whether that be for shopping, exercise, health care or other essential reasons.
- Restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas and all non-essential businesses and services are shut, so there’s not a lot to do.
- Supermarkets, bakeries, post offices and public services are among the many shops and essential services still open. Undercover food markets and hypermarkets too.
- There’s also a strict national curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- There’s a ban on travel between different regions, though some waivers apply.
- External EU borders remain closed, but travel exemptions to France for some foreigners continue.
- You’ll face fines starting at €135 for breaking the lockdown rules. Police have already handed out 3,000 plus fines to curfew offenders.
Traveling From EU/Schengen: Can You During French Lockdown?
The EU internal borders remain open, for travelers coming from within the bloc, the UK, and Schengen associated countries. The latter includesNorway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.
Travel in theory is still possible “without restrictions”. However, travelers of course will be subject to the lockdown rules. Particularly to tough curbs on movement, and evening curfews.
France Travel For Non-Europeans: Can You During French Lockdown?
France is no longer applying the EU travel ban based on your passport. Entry “depends on virus circulation in your country of departure”, says the government. This switch in rule means Americans for example can travel to France from the UK or Ireland.
The same goes for any other foreign nationals still subject to the EU travel ban.
The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is yet to update its traveler information for foreigners to include the lockdown. But no doubt it soon will. Nonetheless, the site clearly explains who can travel to France currently. And the Covid test requirements for high-risk arrivals.
So travel to France from any of the following countries is possible during the lockdown, as before, “without any COVID-19-related restrictions or paperwork”. Those countries are:
Member States of the European Union, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Georgia, the Holy See, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
Exemptions for those arriving from other countries continue for certain categories of travelers. These include citizens, residents and their family members, plus researchers and those on student visas, (short and long-stay).
All those exemptions continue, but as for all French people, there’ll be breaks on your freedom of movement during your stay.
Travel To France: Who Needs To Quarantine?
PCR tests are in theory required for high-risk travelers coming from outside the EU or other safe list countries. Only symptomatic travelers are asked to self-isolate. But quarantine rules are poorly enforced in France. Likewise for negative test rules.
France Travel: Vital Forms You’ll Need
First of all, any foreigners arriving by air need to fill out a form available in English on the interior ministry website. Just download the International Travel Certificate and carry it at all times during their journey. Even if immigration authorities don’t ask for it, it will come in handy for travel to and from the airport. In the case of police checks.
Secondly, with the new lockdown, another form is required. You must carry it with you every time you step outdoors. The travel exemption certificate is available in English. Either to download and print, or in digital format. It justifies your reasons for travel between home and work or schools too, as well as for shopping or exercise.
Finally, masks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public places in France right now. So mask-up, whatever your views on the rules. President Macron is even urging people to wear masks in one-on-one contact at home!
👮♀️👮♂️ Réadaptation permanente des missions de sécurisation aux abords des sites sensibles tout en assurant la mise en place du respect des mesures de confinement.
L'ensemble de la chaîne opérationnelle de la @prefpolice est vigilante, pour votre sécurité. pic.twitter.com/0vhSdFAGGa— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) October 30, 2020