COVID-19 Information

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The Department of State has issued COVID-19 Traveler Information and advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide.

 

COVID-19 Information 

Last updated:   09/15/2021 

*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information 

  • France is now under a Level 4 – Do Not Travel travel advisory. 
  • France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country. 
  • On September 12, France’s entry rules for U.S. citizens changed.  Fully vaccinated travelers coming from the United States (as well as minor children under 17 accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian) will still be able to enter France with proof of vaccination and a sworn statement they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Currently only the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted. Full vaccination occurs two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccine, and four weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson. No pre-departure COVID test or quarantine is required.  
  • As of September 12, travelers coming from the United States who are not fully vaccinated will need to provide a compelling reason for travel through submission of an attention form; present a negative COVID-19 test, either a PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure or an antigen (rapid) test conducted within the 48 hours prior to departure; will be required to take another test upon arrival in France (and if that test is positive, may face a 10-day quarantine at the traveler’s expense); undergo a 7-day self-isolation period upon arrival; and take a PCR test at the end of the self-isolation period.  These travelers will also need to provide a sworn statement they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and that they agree to the testing and self-isolation requirements. Children under 11 are exempt from testing. 
  • French authorities have been accepting the CDC card as acceptable evidence of vaccination for entry into France, but it is not accepted as a French health pass required for domestic travel within France or to enter cultural sites, museums, theatres, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cafes, athletic facilities, medical offices and hospitals (except for emergencies), retirement homes, and some other facilities. 
  • French entry requirements are determined by the country where the trip originated; travelers coming from countries other than the United States should review the information under Entry and Exit Requirements below. 
  • All people 12 and above living in France are currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. See “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” below. 
  • On August 10, France announced the procedure for non-French citizens vaccinated outside of the European Union to obtain the French Health Pass.  Please see the information on How to Get a French Health Pass under the U.S. Citizen Services portion of our website.  Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who are awaiting processing of their request for a French health pass can obtain a temporary, 72-hour pass with a negative COVID test (either antigen or PCR).  The test results include the necessary QR code.  

COVID-19 Testing 

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in France? Yes. 
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes. 
  • COVID viral (PCR) testing is available at many laboratories and testing centers, usually by appointment.  Many pharmacies can do serologic (antigen/rapid) tests. PCR tests cost 43.89 Euros, and antigen tests 25 Euros, payable in advance. Residents in France can be tested via a PCR for free at public testing centers; private testing centers, including pharmacies, may charge. President Macron announced on July 12 that in October, PCR tests will no longer be free unless a doctor’s prescription is presented. 
  • All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. The CDC has also issued this checklist on the types of tests or documentation acceptable for airline travel. 
  • Waivers to the testing requirement may be granted by the CDC on an extremely limited basis. Please go here for more information.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

  • Has the government of France approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes.   
  • Are vaccines available in France for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes. Non-French citizens who are living in France, including those who are not registered in the French health care system but who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine (see below), can be vaccinated at a vaccination center but may be charged for the vaccine. You can download a letter stating your eligibility as a U.S. citizen (if you are otherwise qualified) here. Vaccination is voluntary. 
  • Which vaccines are available in France? Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. 
  • France has begun its COVID-19 vaccination program. Currently, vaccines are being offered to everyone age 12 and over. Additional information is available on the sante.fr website. 
  • People 12 and over may register for a vaccine appointment several ways: online at sante.fr; via the Doctolib, Maiia, and KelDoc apps; by phone at 0800 009 110; and with their doctor. 
  • Be aware, the U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system. The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.  
  • France has closed its borders to travel to and from countries outside the “European Area” (EU members along with Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican), with the exception of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. 
  • However, under new rules that went into effect June 9, certain travelers may now be admitted, depending on conditions in the country of origin of their trip and the traveler’s vaccination status. All countries are color-coded, either green, red, or orange. A country’s color, and thus conditions to enter France, can change with little notice. Countries’ status and particular requirements related to travel to France from individual countries are subject to change with little notice. Please continue to monitor the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website regularly.   
    • Green countries (as of September 12, EU members* along with Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the Vatican, Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Vanuatu). Fully vaccinated travelers coming from these countries can enter with proof of vaccination. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated require a negative PCR or antigen test performed within the 72 hours before entering France (*with the exception of travelers entering from Cyprus, Greece, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, who require a test performed less than 24 hours prior to departure from those countries to France.) This includes land and sea travelers as well as air travelers. There is no quarantine requirement. 
    • Red countries (currently Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Indonesia, Iran, the Maldives, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Suriname, Tunisia, and Turkey): As of July 18, fully vaccinated travelers only need proof of vaccination and no longer require a negative COVID test or compelling reason to enter France, nor are subject to a mandatory quarantine. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers are restricted to certain categories of travelers who must show a compelling reason for travel. These travelers must present a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) performed within the 48 hours before departure, and must quarantine for ten days after arrival (this quarantine will be enforced by police checks at the quarantine location). 
    • Orange countries (all other countries including the United States). Fully vaccinated travelers need only proof of vaccination; no COVID test or quarantine is necessary. France accepts the CDC card as sufficient proof.  Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must provide a compelling reason for travel (see Compelling Reasons, below), negative PCR test performed in the 72 hours before departure OR an antigen test performed in the 48 hours before departure – HOWEVER, in the specific case of travelers from the United Kingdom, either test must be performed within the 24 hours prior to travel. All travelers will be tested again upon arrival, and must self-isolate upon arrival for 7 days, 10 days if they test positive upon arrival.  At the end of the 7 days they must take a PCR test.  Children under age 12 are exempt from the testing requirements. 
  • Children: Travelers under age 11 are treated as vaccinated regardless of their vaccination status and do not need to have a COVID test. Travelers ages 11 through 17 are treated as vaccinated if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian. Travelers in this age group traveling independently must meet the rules applicable to adult travelers. 
  • Accepted Vaccines: Currently only the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted for entry into France.  Travelers must also be fully vaccinated, which occurs two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca, and four weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson. 
  • Compelling Reasons and Essential Travelers: The list of compelling reasons and essential travelers can be found at the website of the French Ministry of Interior.  It is located on the attestation page for travelers entering France. Note that different rules may apply depending on the country of origin of travel; please ensure you select the correct travel attestation. Travelers subject to this requirement attempting to enter without a compelling reason may be denied entry and detained in an immigration detention center until they can be returned to their point of departure. 
  •  In rare cases, the French government will consider allowing travel for otherwise unqualified travelers in humanitarian situations and in cases of business activity important to the French economy, and have announced a program to allow unmarried couples to reunite. Persons may inquire about such allowances with the French Embassy in Washington, DC (visas@consulfrance-washington.org). 
  • The United States Embassy has no standing to intervene or advocate for the private travel of United States citizens to France. Please contact your nearest French Embassy or French Consulate or refer to France Visas. If you are already in France, please contact your nearest Prefecture or refer to the Ministry of the Interior or Prefecture de Police. 
  • Anyone entering France or transiting through France must have an attestation, available here. You do not need an endorsement from the Embassy for this attestation. 
  • Transit passengers through Charles De Gaulle Airport are being allowed under certain conditions. Transiting passengers may not leave the international zone and will not be admitted to France unless otherwise qualified to enter France. Luggage must be checked through to your final destination. You will not be permitted to leave the international zone to collect and recheck baggage. The duration of transit must be less than 24 hours. For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
  • French Residents Traveling Outside France: On June 9, France dropped the compelling reason requirement for fully vaccinated travelers from France traveling to orange countries. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers will still need to show a compelling reason for travel to orange or red countries. No compelling reason is needed for travelers traveling to a green country regardless of vaccination status. 
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  Yes. 
  • All travelers, except fully vaccinated travelers, must present results of a negative COVID test. The type of test and the time frame for the test vary depending on the color classification of the country and vaccination status of the traveler. Please see the information above under Entry and Exit requirements. 
  • Please note this testing requirement applies only to travelers who are otherwise allowed to travel to France. For more information regarding entry into France, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (English version). 
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes. 
  • France is performing temperature checks and COVID testing for certain passengers. 
  • There are two Covid-19 testing centers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris-Orly. Departing passengers wishing to get a test at the airport must make an appointment online (doctolib.fr). According to Paris Aéroport, results for the PCR test are available within 48 hours and within 1 to 2 hours for an antigen test. There is also a pharmacy located on the departures area near the check-in counters in Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle that can perform the antigen test.  

Movement Restrictions 

  •  Is a curfew in place? No. 
  • The nationwide curfew was lifted on June 20. 
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes. 
  • Long-distance travelers within France may be required to present a valid Health Pass for air, rail, or automobile travel.  
  •  U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States can do so. All U.S. citizens and other travelers over the age of two will need to present a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test result or evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to boarding the plane. Test samples must be collected within the 3 calendar days before the flight departs. Please see the CDC announcement for more information. 
  • In addition, France has imposed movement or travel controls on several of its overseas territories and departments. For more information, we refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. 
  • Health Pass (Pass Sanitaire) Requirements Expanded: Many tourist attractions, entertainment and sporting facilities, and all dining establishments, among other businesses, require presentation of a health pass for entry.  Please see How to Get a Health Pass.  Please note this process for obtaining a health pass can take up to two weeks or longer in some cases.  Please be aware that hospitals and pharmacies are no longer permitted to enter a foreign vaccination record into the French health pass system.   

Quarantine Information 

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes. 
  • Quarantine requirements vary depending on the country where travel originated and the vaccination status of the traveler. Please see Entry and Exit requirements above for more information. 
  • All travelers coming from a green list country and fully vaccinated travelers (and accompanying minors under age 11) are no longer required to quarantine. All other travelers will still need to quarantine. 
  • Unvaccinated travelers arriving from red countries face a heightened, 10-day quarantine that may be enforced by police or other government authorities. See information at the French Ministry of Interior website.  

Transportation Options 

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes. 
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes. 
  • Face coverings are required on all public transportation and in all public spaces, including in the stations. As of June 17, face masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, except in crowded areas, such as markets, lines, and stadiums. Masks are still required indoors and in vehicles. Departements and regions which exceed current French COVID guidelines may impose stricter requirements. 
  • Long distance transportation requires presentation of a health pass; local public transportation such as subways, tramways, buses, and suburban trains do not. 
  • Failing to wear face covering where required can result in a 135 Euro fine (approximately $160). 
  • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may return to the United States. Contact your airline for updated status on your scheduled flight(s). Note that on January 25, 2021, President Biden issued Presidential Proclamation 10143, which updates a previous proclamation issued in March 2020. This proclamation does not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. In addition, certain family members of U.S. citizens are also exempted. 
  • U.S. citizens and all other travelers over the age of two will need to present a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test result or evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to boarding the plane. Test samples must be collected within the 3 calendar days before the flight departs. Please see the CDC announcement for more information. 

Fines for Non-Compliance 

  • Non-compliance with the mask requirements can lead to a fine of 135 Euros (approximately $160) for a first offense. Repeat offenders can be fined up to 1,500 Euros (about $1,175). 

Consular Operations 

  • American Citizen Services: The U.S. Embassy in Paris and the Consulates General in Marseille and Strasbourg have resumed the following regular services – passport processing, reports of birth abroad, notary actions, voting assistance, and some federal benefits assistance (Paris). United States citizens should see the corresponding pages on this website to make appointments for these services. 
  • Visa Services: All immigrant visa categories are being processed, although with limited capacity. Non-immigrant visa services are available in critical travel categories, including students, investors, and travelers supporting critical infrastructure. Most travel from the Schengen area – including France – to the United States remains suspended at this time. Effective immediately, all approved National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) – even those already issued – are valid for 12 months/multiple entry. For more information, or to schedule a visa appointment, please see: https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas. 
  • Due to COVID-19, any visa applicants who have traveled outside of France 10 days or less before their appointment date will not be admitted to the Embassy and will be required to reschedule their appointment. Due to current health protocols, the U.S. Embassy in Paris is only accepting Non-Immigrant Visa applications from those applicants physically residing in France or Monaco. 
  • If you are approved for a visa and an NIE, your admission remains subject to a determination by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at ports of entry. 

Local Resources 

By | 20 April, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Messages for U.S. Citizens, News, U.S. Citizen Services | Tags: , , , , ,

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