Seeing the lavender fields in Provence and roaming the streets of Paris in our sunniest OOTDs are just some of the things we miss about travelling to France during summertime. And for certain travellers, this possibility is back on the table once France borders reopen to select foreign tourists on 9 June 2021.
Included on this list are Singapore, Australia, Japan, and more. They will be allowed to enter France as long as they have either a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. The French government is also currently discussing the possibility of allowing vaccinated travellers from the United States.
Who can travel to France?
As of writing, arrivals are limited to residents of Singapore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. To enter France, they must acquire a “health pass” with proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative RT-PCR test. Cross-border commuters are exempt from this mandatory requirement.
France borders are also open to other travellers who have a “compelling” reason to visit — such as health, family, or professional reasons. However, they have to spend seven days in quarantine at a location of their choice. Meanwhile, those arriving from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, and South Africa must undergo a 10-day quarantine, in order to prevent the spread of new COVID-19 variants.
What else to know, aside from France borders reopening
According to the Associated Press, President Emmanuel Macron outlined a four-step plan to reopen the country and revive its economy. The country is slowly starting to lift partial lockdowns, after going on another nationwide lockdown just last 3 April.
Starting 19 May, open-air terraces of local cafes and restaurants will be allowed to reopen with a nightly curfew of 9pm. Museums, cinemas, theatres, and sports facilities, can also reopen with occupancy limits of 800 people indoors and 1,000 outdoors.
By 9 June, cafes and restaurants will be able to operate until the 11pm curfew. Events of up to 5,000 people may also take place by then. And in the final stage, the government will lift the nightly curfew and many other restrictions by 30 June.
However, this timetable is all under the condition that COVID-19 cases have decreased by then. It could be delayed on a region-by-region basis, should intensive care units get close to saturation, or the COVID-19 incidence rate exceeds 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Also read: Travel After the COVID-19 Vaccine: 5 Key Things to Keep in Mind
The French government is expecting a drop in cases this May, as more and more residents are getting the vaccine. According to a Reuters tracker, about 22% of French citizens have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as of 30 April.
“I have never gambled on the health and safety of our citizens,” Macron said. “I take responsibility for the choices I make, but these are never bets.”
So, for vaccinated Francophiles who are itching to book that flight, you might want to wait a bit longer. (Although, we get it — news of France borders reopening sounds promising!) In the meantime, perhaps check out the best cities to visit in France, as well as these pastries to try in Paris?
Featured image credit: f11photo | Canva Pro