Just in: France drops entry test requirement, with a catch

France has just announced that they’ve ended the requirement for visitors to show a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter the country – with a catch.

With many countries removing travel bans and easing entry requirements all around the world, France has decided to join ranks and drop their entry test requirement for all fully vaccinated travellers.

Reduced entry requirements for France

According to Travel News, Jean Castex stated:

“In view of the new phase of the pandemic characterised, in most countries, by the predominance of the Omicron variant and a high level of vaccination, the government has decided to lighten the health control system at the borders, particularly for vaccinated travellers.”

He went on to add that proof of vaccination would be sufficient in order to visit France from whichever country travellers were arriving from.

Any traveller, 12 years and older who are not fully vaccinated must still submit a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure. They will also have to quarantine for seven days upon arrival.

ALSO READ: Portugal is ready to scrap entry test requirements

Booster shots a bonus

At the current moment, France does not require that travellers have a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the country. Many establishments in the country, however, do regard a booster shots as essential – for entry to some bars, ski lifts and cafés.

As of 15 February, the French government reduced the length of validity for proof of vaccination without a booster from seven months to just four. This simply signifies that all fully vaxxed travellers SHOULD ensure that they have received their booster shots if they have been vaccinated with their second dose for more than four months, in order to enter certain establishments in the country.

ALSO READ: Just in: US eases South Africa’s COVID-19 risk level