Unvaccinated travelers from the United States will be subject to mandatory quarantine as the U.S. has been moved to France’s red list due to the significant spread of the Omicron variant.
Prior to Sunday, unvaccinated U.S. passengers were required to self-quarantine for seven days without supervision.
According to the new guidelines, visitors from red-listed countries who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will have to undergo a 10-day self-quarantine, under police supervision.
But that’s not all. They must also provide an essential reason to visit France.
On the good side, vaccinated travelers are exempt from these restrictions. They must, however, produce a sworn signed statement stating that they have not experienced COVID-19 symptoms or come into contact with a positive case.
All Americans must submit a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or lateral flow) taken within 48 hours of departure, regardless of their vaccination status.
Local authorities also are putting extra pressure on unvaccinated residents.
While dealing with a massive wave of infections, the government has requested individuals to work from home starting Monday and imposed capacity restrictions on public events.
Authorities are also urging parliament to enact a law that only allows vaccinated people to enter restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums, and sporting events.
If approved, everyone will require a “Vaccine Pass” to access not only the above-mentioned venues, but also inter-regional trains, buses, and domestic flights.
The current health crisis appears to be enough reason to pass the bill.
Last week France topped 208,000 new COVID-19 in the 24-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday, told a parliamentary hearing the Minister of Social Affairs and Health of France, Olivier Véran.
“I wouldn’t describe it as a wave anymore when it comes to Omicron,”
“Given the figures we have been recording over the last few days in our country, I would tend to speak of a tidal wave,” said Véran.
French hospitals now have 18,321 COVID-19 patients, with more than 3,500 people in intensive care units.
As of today, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 123,552 in France alone.