France is open!

Today, France has moved into stage three of Macron’s four stage re-opening plan. Bars and restaurants can now serve food and drinks inside as well as out, tables are a maximum of 6 people, and if you are not seated at your table then you need to wear a mask. In fact you still need to wear a mask in all public indoor spaces and many outdoor venues. The curfew is extended to 11pm. All shops, cinemas and cultural sites are all now open, although some have strict capacity allowances, and booking can be necessary. And events of up to 5,000 are allowed but attendance is only with a health passport.

Travel to France

The French government have announced a traffic light system, which enables vaccinated people to travel. Green classified countries, which include the EU, Australia and New Zealand, and orange classified countries, which include the UK, US and Canada, can now travel to France for any reason, as long as you have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, i.e. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). For double-dose vaccines you must wait at least two weeks after the final injection to travel. For single-dose vaccines you must wait at least four weeks after the vaccine to travel and proof of vaccination is required to be shown on arrival for both types. For orange designated countries you also need to show a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of travel.

Non-vaccinated travellers, or those who have not completed their full vaccination, still need an essential reason to travel from orange designated countries.

Although the vaccination program got off to a slow start in France it is now working well, and vaccinations are now available to everyone over 18 years of age. Over 28 million people are now vaccinated with their first jab, and at least 50% of them have had their second jab. As from 15th June vaccination will be available to 12-18 year olds.