The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Information
Updated April 3, 2020
Country-Specific Information:
- France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country. Since January 24, 2020, there have been 59,105 confirmed cases in France. There have been 4,503 confirmed deaths. French authorities announced on March 27 that they expect cases to continue to rise rapidly in the coming days.
- Flights to the U.S. are available through Air France. Daily direct flights to the United States are scheduled this week from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The daily flight alternates between New York JFK and Los Angeles. Book flights directly through Air France at https://www.airfrance.fr/en. Flight availability is subject to further restrictions. U.S. citizens who wish to depart France should do so immediately or be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
- On March 16, 2020, the Government of France announced measures to minimize contact and travel. A confinement order put into effect throughout France on March 17 has been extended through April 15. All non-essential public services in France remain closed. Open-air markets were recently added to this list.
- If necessary, travel is permitted in the following cases:
- Between home and work when telework is not possible;
- To make essential purchases in authorized local shops;
- For health reasons;
- To care for children or help vulnerable people;
- Brief movements near or around the home for individual exercise or pet care and without public gathering. All exercise is limited to within one kilometer of each person’s residence and can only be for one hour per day, and alone;
- To respond to a judicial or administrative matter;
- To participate in an activity at the request of an administrative authority.
- If you must travel for one of these reasons, you must carry an attestation, downloadable here. An English translation can be found here. For travel to work, you will need an employer certificate. Unnecessary travel may be fined between 135 to 375 euros, with an increase to 1,500 euros for two violations within 15 days, and 3,750 euros and imprisonment for three violations within 30 days. The French Minister of Interior (MOI) and French police have issued warnings regarding fake police checkpoints and individuals impersonating police officers attempting to fraudulently collect a “fine” for not possessing a travel attestation document or for improper documentation. French police always write a report and the requirement to pay a fine is sent to your home of record. Do not pay any “fine” on the scene.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- The Government of France announced that, as of March 17, European Union external borders will close for 30 days. This does not apply to U.S. citizens departing France to return to the United States. Travel across the Schengen area’s internal borders will be significantly restricted.
- Flights from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, South Korea, Iran, and affected regions in Italy arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris are met by medical professionals to answer questions and take into care any person presenting symptoms. The French government is distributing flyers to travelers with advice in French, English, Italian, and Chinese.
Quarantine Information:
- Only travelers returning on government-provided evacuation flights are placed in quarantine.
- The Government of France advises other travelers returning from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea or the Italian regions of Emilie-Romagne Lombardy and Veneto to monitor their temperature twice daily for 14 days, wear a surgical mask when they are with others or outside their home, stay away from individuals with compromised health, and reduce non-essential activities that would expose them to crowds, such as going to the cinema, large gatherings, or a restaurant.
Local Resources:
- View U.S. Embassy Paris Most Recent Alerts.
- See our Embassy webpage for local resources and information about getting medical care in France.
- Dial 15 for emergency services in France if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Do not go directly to an emergency department, doctor’s office, or clinic.
- The official Government of France website (in French) for COVID-19 information is https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus.
- For information on extension of certain French visas or residence permits, see the update here
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ:
- Does the new Global Level 4 Health Advisory mean I should return to the United States?
If you live in the United States, you should arrange for return home by commercial means or be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. You should have a plan to depart from France that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. If you need a flight home, Air France continues to offer flights to the United States at this time, but the situation could change. You should travel now. - I have a reservation for a later time. Should I change it?
Commercial flights operated by Air France remain available, but this is a quickly developing situation. Check with the carrier directly to arrange or reschedule travel as soon as possible. - I need to transit through France to get home. Will I be allowed to do that?
U.S. citizens are being permitted to transit through France if they have a direct connection to the United States. You will not be permitted to leave the transit area of the airport during the connection. The situation here is fluid and we are seeing flights canceled. If there is a problem during your connection you will need to work with your carrier to make adjustments. - Are U.S. citizens going to be evacuated from France?
As noted in the Department of State Global Level 4 Health Advisory, if you live in the United States, you should arrange for immediate return home by commercial means or be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. You should have a plan to depart from France that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. - My 90 days of visa-free Schengen travel is almost up! What should I do?
U.S. citizens who entered France on 90-day visa-free Schengen travel and are unable to return to the United States by the end of their authorized length of stay due to the COVID-19 outbreak should reference the Prefecture de Police website (look for the English prompt) on conditions to request an extension. This website also includes information on extensions of certain French visas or residence permits due to COVID-19. - Where can I get more information from the Embassy?
Make sure you are enrolled in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program to receive alerts and ensure you can be located in an emergency. Keep checking this website for up-to-date information. U.S. citizens may also email us at citizeninfo@state.gov.
Other links:
- Information for U.S. citizens returning from France
- Department of State Emergency Alert on COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control: COVID-19 Information
- Centers for Disease Control: Information for Travel
- France Country Specific Information
Assistance:
- US. Embassy Paris, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfo@state.gov - US. Consulate General Marseille, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfoMarseille@state.gov
