After a first tightening of border controls between France and countries outside the European Union, Emmanuel Macron announced at the European Council this Thursday, January 21, 2021, that new restrictive measures will be put in place for European travelers. From this Sunday midnight, a negative PCR test will now be mandatory for all European travelers (excluding so-called essential trips) arriving in France.
Obligation of a negative PCR test for European travelers arriving in France
After a first tightening of French border controls put in place on January 18 calling for a negative Covid test of less than 72 hours for all travelers outside the EU (United Kingdom included) and self-isolation for 7 days, new restrictive measures will be added for European travelers. This is what Emmanuel Macron announced this Thursday, January 21, 2021 during the European Council devoted to the health crisis. France is thus strengthening its controls within the European Union in order to fight against the spread of variants of the coronavirus.
From this Sunday, January 24, 2021 at midnight, it will now be mandatory to present a PCR test carried out 72 hours before departure for all European travelers (excluding so-called essential trips) arriving in France. ” In particular, frontier workers and land transport will be exempted », Specified the Elysee.
Non-essential travel “strongly discouraged”
In parallel with the European Council of 27 member states, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared this Thursday evening that “ due to the very serious health situation “,” all non-essential travel should be strongly discouraged “. However, the leader said that it was “of the utmost importance to continue to make the single market work”. In other words, it makes a point of honor that transport “fhelp essential workers and goods across borders Can continue.
The Head of the Commission has also proposed to add a new color to the ECDC maps, which make it possible to visualize the incidence rates in the different regions of the EU. It’s about ” dark red Which is added to red, orange and green. Travelers from these dark red regions could thus be required to present a mandatory test before their departure and to isolate themselves on their arrival.
