Coronavirus in France

France has been severely touched by the coronavirus epidemic. The French government took strict measures in order to limit the spread of the virus in the population, as the establishment of a curfew, a 4-step lockdown exit plan, a "health pass" to facilitate border crossings and a "vaccinal pass" to access to certain activities.  Since March 14, 2022, the "vaccinal pass" is suspended and the wearing of a mask is no longer required indoors. 

End of mask wearing

Since March 14, 2022, the wearing of masks indoors (in schools, businesses, stores) is no longer required in France.
It remains mandatory in transport, health establishments and care facilities

Suspension of the vaccinal pass in France

The health pass, introduced in June 2021 (see below), and then required in many places open to the public, provides proof of a complete vaccination schedule, a negative Covid-19 test less than 24 hours old or a certificate of recovery from Covid-19 less than six months old.

This health pass has been transformed into a vaccinal pass, meaning that negative tests are no longer valid. The vaccinal pass was adopted by the National Assembly and is entered into force on 24th January 2022. 

Since March 14, the "vaccinal pass" has been suspended in all places where it was required (bar and restaurants,cinemas, theatres, stadium, leisure Fairs, professionnal Fairs...).
However, the "health pass" remains in force in health establishments and places of care.

The health pass in France

In France, a health pass allows you to prove either your vaccination, or that you are not a carrier of COVID-19 thanks to negative results of a PCR or antigen test, or that you have recently recovered from the disease thanks for example to a positive test of more than 11 days and less than 6 months.

It makes it easier for you to travel within the EU and to attend certain events bringing together a large number of people.

In France, you have to present a health pass:

  • in health and medico-social services and establishments for people accompanying or visiting people in these services and establishments (with the exception of medico-social establishments and services for children, or independent residences). 
  • When crossing borders when travelling to/from France.
  • In certain overseas territories, where the health or vaccination pass has been extended.

The health pass is compulsory for access to these different places, for 12-17 year olds, from 12 years and two months.

Travel to or from France

From 12 February 2022, the following rules will apply at borders:

  • For travellers who have been vaccinated in accordance with European regulations, no more tests will be required on departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule will once again be sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin, as was the case before the spread of the Omicron variant.
  • For unvaccinated travellers, the obligation to present a negative test to travel to France remains, but the measures on arrival (test, isolation) are lifted when they come from countries on the "green" list, characterised by moderate circulation of the virus.
  • When unvaccinated travellers come from a country on the "orange" list, they will still have to present a compelling reason justifying the need to come to metropolitan France and may still be subject to a random test on arrival. Travellers who test positive will have to isolate themselves, in accordance with the recommendations of the Health Insurance.

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