France eases restrictions for incoming U.S. travelers

Ministry of the Interior eases restrictions for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers 

Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers looking to enter France will have an easier time, with the country easing COVID-19 restrictions for those on incoming flights. 

France’s Ministry of the Interior announced it will no longer require fully vaccinated travelers to undergo pre-departure COVID-19 testing before entering the country.  

American travelers now only must show proof that they are up to date on their vaccine status and promise in a sworn statement that they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with a confirmed case.  

In accordance with France regulations, any traveler over the age of 18 must have received a booster shot if it has been more than 9 months since their second vaccine shot.  

The move to waive pre-departure testing comes after France re-classified the U.S. as an “orange” country, meaning the virus is still actively circulating but without the emergence of a new variant of concern.  

Travelers from the U.S. were previously required to show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test that had been taken within 48 hours of the departure of their flight.  

Unvaccinated travelers going to France from an “orange” country must still show proof of having a compelling reason to enter the country, in addition to a negative COVID-19 PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours.  

Children under the age of 12 who are unvaccinated are exempt, however.  

On the American side, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has France classified as a “Level 4” destination, meaning it has a “very high” amount of COVID-19 transmission, while warning Americans against traveling to the country.