Illustration of vaccination with Pfizer serum. – ‘Cesar Gomez / SOPA Images
Vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter France without a PCR test from June 9, said Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, the Minister for Transport, this Friday morning. Likewise, he announced on CNews that the vaccinated French could move to Europe thanks to the health pass, without the need to be tested.
“We are announcing that as of next June 9 (…) Europeans who are vaccinated will be able to come to France without a PCR test,” said Minister Delegate for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, on CNEWS television. The government and the other European Union countries thus hope to save the tourist season, whose sectors have particularly suffered from the health crisis for more than a year.
Countries sorted by color
If Europeans will be exempt from testing, this will not be the case for other travelers. Indeed, the French government has announced that proof of a negative test (PCR or antigen) would still be required for travelers from the United Kingdom and the United States in particular, whether or not they are vaccinated.
According to the document published by the executive and called “strategy of reopening the borders”, the modalities vary according to the health situation of the countries classified by color (green, orange and red) and vaccination. For countries classified as “green” (European Area, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore), no compelling reason is required and a PCR or antigen test of less than 72 hours is requested from only unvaccinated people.
Compelling reason, PCR test and quarantine for classified red
Vaccinated are those who have had a full vaccination for at least 14 days on the date of travel (and four weeks for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). For countries classified as “orange, such as the United States or Great Britain, a PCR or antigen test is required if the traveler is vaccinated, otherwise he needs a compelling reason, a negative test and he will be in self-isolation from 7 days.
For countries classified as “red” (South Africa, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkey, Uruguay), a compelling reason is required to come to France, PCR or antigen tests are required whether one is vaccinated or not, and a quarantine of 7 to 10 days is imposed on arrival on French soil.