From 14 March, France will lift the rules around its Covid-19 vaccine passport – as covid restrictions inside the country continue to ease.
The nation’s Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced just yesterday – 3 March – that people will no longer be required to show their vaccine passport to enter public venues, including restaurants, bars and cinemas. However, people will still be required to show their vaccine passport to enter hospital entrances and elderly home care centers.
The vaccine passport – which goes by the name of Pass Vaccinal – was originally brought into effect in June last year (2021) as a measure to try and safely reopen public venues inside France following strict Covid-19 lockdowns.
You will soon no longer be required to show proof of vaccine to visit entertainment venues
In just a matter of days – from 14 March – you will no longer be asked to show proof of your vaccination or recovery when entering the following public places:
- Bars and restaurants
- Entertainment venues – such as sport venues, cinemas, theatres and museums
- Events – such as exhibitions and fairs
- Non-essential stores and shopping malls
Face masks will also no longer be required indoors
The requirement to wear a face mask when inside indoor venues will also be lifted from 14 March. However, you will still be required to wear a face covering when using public transport.
France joins the likes of the United Kingdom and Switzerland – who have also recently relaxed rules around the requirement to wear masks. The announcement comes as the Covid-19 situation inside France continues to improve, with Castex revealing that the nation’s “health situation has improved markedly” in recent weeks.
And, the news will be welcomed by travelers looking to head to one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations – famous for being host to some of the most prestigious landmarks in the world, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame.
What are the current entry requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens wanting to visit France?
Vaccinated Americans can now enter France restriction-free.
However, a vaccine booster dose is required for those aged 18 and over – in order to be considered as ‘fully vaccinated’ – which must have been administered no more than 9 months after the individual received the second dose of their vaccine.
Individuals – who did receive their booster shot more than nine months after having received their second dose of vaccine – are still allowed to enter, but must wait until a week has passed after receiving their booster dose before traveling to the country.
With the U.S. currently being on France’s orange list, American citizens – who are unvaccinated or have not completed their full vaccination – are required to provide a compelling reason for travel in order to enter French territory.
Such individuals are also required to show a negative PCR test (no longer than 72 hours prior to travel) or Rapid Antigen test (no longer than 48 hours prior to travel) result. There is also the possibility of further testing upon arrival for American travelers that are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.
However, Canadian citizens – whether vaccinated or not – are now able to enter France for tourism purposes with slightly less restrictions. This is due to Canada recently being put onto France’s ‘green list’.
Vaccinated Canadians can enter by showing that they are fully vaccinated – as per the same rules mentioned above for U.S. citizens.
However, unvaccinated Canadians must present a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test result upon arrival – but there is no need to provide a ‘compelling reason’ for travel.
Other European nations have also announced changes to their testing requirements – with more nations now allowing vaccinated travelers to enter without testing.
