Health Alert -U.S. Embassy Paris, France

March 16, 2020

Location: France

Event: Due to reduced staffing, only emergency American Citizen Services and emergency visa services are available at the U.S. Embassy in Paris and Consulate General in Marseille.

The CDC advises travelers to avoid nonessential travel to France and State Department currently recommends U.S. citizens reconsider travel. See CDC information regarding high-risk traveler categories.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. See the Global Level 3 Health Advisory here.

On March 14, the Government of France ordered bars, restaurants, and non-essential commerce to close until further notice. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks remain open. U.S. citizens in France should be prepared for additional restrictive measures to be put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public transportation including airlines, trains, and buses continue to operate, but transport links within France and to international destinations are increasingly limited.

Travelers should check carrier schedules for the latest updates and work directly with the carrier or travel agent to arrange or reschedule travel.

U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents will be permitted to return to the United States from France, other Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring U.S. passengers that have been in France, the Schengen region, the United Kingdom, and Ireland to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.  See the  DHS website for further details.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on the disease.
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.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in France.
For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts.
Have a plan to depart from France that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the U.S.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.