Health Alert
U.S. Embassy Paris, France
January 15, 2021
Location: France
Event: The U.S. Embassy in Paris is sending regular updates to ensure that all U.S. citizens in France have the latest information on COVID-19, and local security conditions in France. The following includes measures announced by French Prime Minister Castex on January 14 and has been updated on the U.S. Embassy Paris COVID-19 information page:
- Beginning Saturday, January 16, the Government of France will impose a stay-at-home curfew from 18:00 (6 p.m.) to 6:00 a.m. for all of France. During the curfew you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work/school, medical appointments, essential family duties such as caring for children or the elderly, walking a pet, or other limited reasons and you must carry an exemption certificate. For the duration of the curfew, U.S. Embassy Paris and Consulate General Marseille consular public hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consulate General Strasbourg consular services remain by appointment. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance may contact the Embassy at 01 43 12 22 22 (calling within France) or (011 33) 1 43 12 22 22 (dialing from the United States) 24 hours/day.
- Beginning Monday January 18, travelers entering France from outside the European Union (including travelers entering from the United Kingdom) will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours before departure for France. Travelers will also need to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival and test again at the end of the self-isolation period. Travelers from certain EU countries experiencing a sharp increase in infections may also be subject to unidentified extra border restrictions.
- Beginning Tuesday, January 26, U.S. citizens and all other travelers flying into the United States will need to present either a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test performed within three days prior to boarding or evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days before boarding.
- United States citizens ARE subject to this requirement.
- COVID-19 vaccination does not satisfy this requirement. Vaccinated travelers must still present negative test results.
- Additional information is available from the CDC website and the U.S. Embassy COVID-19 website. Please note, this new requirement does not change Presidential Proclamation 9993 prohibiting most travel by non-U.S. citizens from the Schengen Zone to the United States, nor the similar French ban on non-French travelers from the United States to France. Both bans remain in effect. More information can be found on our website and the website of the French Embassy in Washington.
- France has begun its COVID-19 vaccination program. Vaccinations are being offered to various groups per the French government vaccine rollout plan. Currently, vaccines are being offered to residents and staff of the Ehpad public nursing homes, and health care workers, firefighters, and home health workers over age 50. On January 18, people 75 and older and people with serious underlying health issues (such as cancer or kidney failure) will be eligible. A more detailed list is available on the sante.fr website. Even non-French citizens who are not registered in the French health care system but who fall into one of the current criteria can be vaccinated, but may be charged for the vaccine. Vaccination is voluntary. People who fall into a qualifying group may register for a vaccine appointment several ways: online at sante.fr; via the Doctolib, Maiia, and (soon) KelDoc apps; by phone at 0800 009 110; and with your doctor, although this option may not yet be available. People who qualify due to an underlying health issue may be required to obtain a doctor’s prescription if they do not meet the current age cutoff. Vaccinations will take place at vaccine centers which are opening across the country. Please note, the U.S. government advises U.S. citizens in France to obtain the vaccine through the French health care system.
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.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Paris, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfo@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Marseille, France (if event occurs in Marseille CD)
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfoMarseille@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
France Country Specific Information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
