With the world opening up after the omicron variant, France has released a new set of travel guidelines for international travellers including India. The French Covid-19 vaccine pass will come into force in France from January 24, 2022, replacing the health pass in use for access to venues and events.

With the new rules, the obligation to wear a mask in outdoor areas is over, the nightclubs are open, outdoor concerts are back in action and the restaurant capacity is going back to normal.

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International Travel to France:

Travel between France and foreign countries is open according to rules that vary according to the health
situation in other countries and the vaccination of travellers. Classification of countries into 3 colour categories (green, orange, red) has been defined on the basis of health indicators. India is in the orange category of countries.

**Orange countries: including French nationals and their spouses, EU nationals or their spouses whose main residence is in France or who are joining their main residence in transit through France, travellers in transit for less than 24 hours in an international zone.

Check out the latest guidelines to travel to France.

The Vaccine Pass by France

(The vaccines accepted by France are those recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA): Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield and Johnson & Johnson).

Proof of vaccination is only valid if it can be used to prove that a complete vaccination schedule has been
completed, i.e:
– 7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
– 4 weeks after the injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);
– 7 days after injection for vaccines in people with a history of Covid-19 (only 1 injection required).

As of 24 January, 2022; a “vaccination pass” is now required for people aged 16 and over in almost all places where the Health Activity Pass (Pass Sanitaire) was previously necessary: the “vaccination pass” requires one of the below as proof of vaccination:
o A certificate of vaccination:
– 2 doses, 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine
– If 2nd dose is more than seven (7) months old a booster is required. Please note that starting
February 15th, the time period will change from seven (7) months to four (4) months.
o A certificate of recovery more than 11 days after the positive test and less than 6 months
o A certificate of contraindication to vaccination

The places where the “vaccination pass” is required are the following:
o Access to bars and restaurants,
o Leisure activities (cinemas, museums, theatres, sports and entertainment venues, ski lifts in ski resorts,
etc.),
o Trade fairs and exhibitions,
o Large shopping centres by decision of the prefects
o Inter-regional transport (planes, trains, buses)
Thus, for people over 16 years of age, only vaccinated people will be able to access these places, events and services. A negative Covid-19 test (PCR or antigenic) will no longer be sufficient.

Exceptions for France Vaccination Pass

– The “vaccination pass” does not apply to adolescents between 12 and 15 years of age. However, they are required to have a “health pass” to access the places mentioned above (bars and restaurants, leisure
activities, large shopping centres, inter-regional transport).
– The “health pass” is still accepted for access to hospitals, clinics, EHPAD and retirement homes, except in emergencies.
– The “health pass” may also be maintained for a limited period in certain territories by the decision of the local
authorities.
– For access to inter-regional transport, travellers who do not have a “vaccination pass” will be able to
present a negative test in the event of a compelling family or health reason.

Vaccine Pass" Eligibility

In order to obtain a vaccination pass, any person aged 18 years and one month and over must present:
– Proof of a complete vaccination schedule: 2 doses of vaccine + a booster within 7 months of the 2nd
injection (see above, recognised vaccines), or proof of recovery from Covid-19 infection of at least 11 days and less than 6 months.

In order to obtain a “vaccine pass”, anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 inclusive must present proof of
2 injections of mRNA vaccines, except in the following 2 cases
– The person has already contracted Covid-19 and can therefore receive a single dose of vaccine,
– The person has contracted Covid-19 at least 15 days after receiving the first injection and can
therefore do without the second dose of vaccine

Children under 12 years and 2 months of age are not subject to the health pass requirement.

On 15 February 2022, the validity of the certificate of vaccination without a booster dose will be
extended to 4 months. The booster dose will therefore have to be given within 4 months, and no longer
7 months, after the 2nd dose.
– These specific rules for obtaining the French vaccination pass are not applicable for entry into French
territory.
– In order to obtain a “health pass”, anyone aged 12 years and two months or more must present one of
the following three health proofs
– Vaccination, provided that the person has a complete vaccination schedule and the necessary time
after the final injection.
– A negative RT-PCR or antigen test less than 24 hours old.
– A positive RT-PCR or antigenic test result demonstrating recovery of Covid-19 that is at least 11 days
old and less than 6 months old.

Summary by date:

The lists of countries are likely to be adapted according to the evolution of their epidemic
situation:

FR : Consult the regularly updated list on the Government website
ENG : Consult the regularly updated list on the Ministere de l’Intérieur website

As of 4 December 2021, any person aged 12 and over entering French territory must present a negative PCR or antigenic test less than 24 or 48 hours old depending on the country of origin. The only exception is for people with a complete vaccination schedule who do not have to present a test when they arrive from a Member State of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland. These people have an EU digital COVID certificate accepted in France.

– Travel to and from French overseas territories and departments
Specific measures have been taken for the overseas territories.
> Consult these measures on the Government website

– Travel to and from Corsica
A specific system has been put in place for travel to Corsica.
> Consult these measures on the website of the Prefecture of Corsica

Precautionary measures and social distancing
> Since 3 January 2022:
o Capacity limits have been reinstated for large events: 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people
outdoors.
o Stand-up only concerts are prohibited.
o In cafés and bars, standing consumption is prohibited.
o Discotheques are still closed to the public.
> Masks must be worn
o indoors in all establishments open to the public
o in certain city centres
o in all group situations (queues, markets, etc.).
o on public transport, in taxis and VTCs.

Gatherings, meetings or activities on the public highway involving more than 10 people at the same time remain prohibited.
> As of 2 February 2022:
o Establishments open to the public will no longer be subject to capacity restrictions.
o The obligation to wear a mask outdoors will end.
> As of 16 February 2022:
o Nightclubs will be able to reopen.
o Stand-up concerts will be allowed to resume.
o In cafés and bars, standing consumption will be allowed again.