COVID-19: official measures from the French government

The french government has recently implemented a health pass that is mandatory to access leisure and culture venues and events bringing together more than 50 people. You will also need to present this pass in bars, restaurants, malls, hospitals (except if you are admitted for urgent care), and for long-distance travel by plane, train or coach.

HEALTH PASS

The pass must prove one of the three following items:
• That you are fully vaccinated (with an EMA-approved vaccine or similar):
– Seven days after the second shot for two-shot vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
– Four weeks after the shot for one-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson);
– Seven days after the shot for vaccines administered to people who have already had COVID-19 (only one dose is necessary).
• OR that you have been tested (PCR or antigen) with a negative result within the last 48hrs;
• OR that you have recovered from COVID-19, attested by a positive PCR or antigen test result, at least 15 days and no more than 6 months old.

Passes can be digital (on the TousAntiCovid app / available in English) or in paper form (proof of vaccination or test result). They include a QR code that will be scanned on entry into the venue or event. The French health pass is interoperable with the EU Digital COVID Certificate scheme for travel within the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican.

If you have been vaccinated in a country outside the European Union, you need to complete an application form to transform your vaccination certificate into a french health pass.
Link to the web site of the French government
Link to the online procedure
Link to the paper version of the form
We advise you to complete this form anyway as we don’t know how long the process take at the moment.

TESTS

PCR and antigen tests are currently free for French residents who are covered by French social security, for French nationals living abroad visiting France, and if you are asked to take a test (you have a prescription or you have been notified that you are a contact case). In other cases PCR tests cost €49.00 and antigen tests cost €29.00 for those not covered by French social security.

MASKS

In indoor public spaces (shops, offices, etc) and on public transport you must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. You don’t need to wear a mask in places where a health pass is required (although local authorities may review this). If you are outside you do not need to wear a mask except in places where social distancing is not possible (queues, open-air markets, railway stations, etc.). Where necessary, local authorities may require masks to be worn in other places.

STAY INFORMED

Of course, those are the infos we have for now, I advise to check regularly the measures according your situation : https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr