France stated that “drastic” restrictions apply which means that the country will only permit French and EU residents to disembark, along with diplomats and flight crews. Photo: angharad:jason / flickr
A government spokesman said that France will start allowing flights from South Africa to land on its territory, with strict restrictions though.
After Dubai, the United Kingdom, Thailand and other countries updated their travel requirements and restrictions when it comes to South Africa, France said on Wednesday (1 December) it would allow in flights from ten southern African countries from Saturday, 4 December.
France did, however, state that “drastic” restrictions apply which means that the country will only permit French and EU residents to disembark, along with diplomats and flight crews.
According to Eye Witness News, these travellers must have a COVID-19 test upon arrival, with a negative result still requiring a seven-day quarantine, while a positive test will prompt a 10-day quarantine.
This comes after various countries suspended flights to and from South Africa due to growing concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal said after a cabinet meeting that French authorities had discovered 13 suspected Omicron cases so far that were under analysis for confirmation.
“Let’s not be fooled or naïve, there will very probably be cases on our territory in the coming hours or days,” he said.
Attal also announced that all travellers arriving from outside the European Union would have to present a negative COVID test less than 48 hours old, in a bid to halt the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant.
In addition, non-vaccinated travellers from within the EU will have to show a negative test less than 24 hours old.
According to RFI, the first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed in France earlier this week. A man in his fifties who had travelled to South Africa on a business trip was diagnosed positive on his return to the French territory of Reunion Island.
In a technical note published on Tuesday, 30 November, the World Health Organisation considers travel bans unnecessary to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.
But the organisation advises vulnerable people to postpone travel to high-risk areas.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also said that travel bans are rushed and unjust.
Written by: Erene Roux
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