The French government has added 29 countries to the green list, including the Dominican Republic, Canada, Oman, India and South Africa. What are the rules and restrictions for travel?
[Updated March 4, 2022 at 12:21 p.m.] 29 countries, including several key destinations, have been greenlisted on the map updated to March 3, 2022 by the French government: the Dominican Republic, Canada, Oman, India, South Africa but also Angola, Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Eswatini, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya , Lesotho, Namibia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, El Salvador, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For these countries, no particular constraint is imposed by France on departure or arrival. As a reminder, no more tests are required on departure for vaccinated travelers wishing to travel to France, regardless of the country of origin.
Travelers must provide a compelling reason to travel to a country classified orange or red, unless they can justify a complete vaccination course with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency. To travel to Europe, it is not necessary to justify the reason for your trip, but prior testing and quarantine obligations may apply. The map of green, orange and red countries was updated on March 3, 2022.
The French government has decided to lighten the border health control system. Since February 12, no more tests are required on departure for vaccinated travelers, regardless of the country of origin.
For unvaccinated travelers, 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”, it that is to say those where the Covid-19 circulates the least. On the other hand, unvaccinated travelers arriving from a country on the “orange” list must continue to “present a compelling reason justifying the need for them to come to mainland France and may still be subjected to a random test on their arrival”, according to the Matignon press release.
The vaccine pass will come into force in two stages in Guadeloupe from March 7, announced the island’s prefect: “First, from March 7, it will be implemented for establishments receiving cultural audiences , such as cinemas or theaters, but also seminars and trade fairs”. Its application would then be extended to the rest of establishments open to the public, in particular sporting events, hotels and restaurants from March 21.
Which countries are reopening their borders to the French in Asia?
After Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Guyana, whose travelers are now subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival at French airports, India is now in the sights of the authorities: government spokesman Gabril Attal announced after the Council of Ministers that “for some countries where the health situation is extremely serious and particularly worrying and worrying, we are still tightening the screws”, India being added to the list of countries submitted to “drastic” travel restrictions.
Australia has extended the closure of its international borders, a self-isolation policy aimed at protecting it from Covid-19 that has already been in place for a year. “Australia’s external borders remain closed until further notice to travelers from overseas, except for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their spouses and travelers in transit”, explains the Quai d ‘Orsay.
