The ICU figures are more dire in the Ile-de-France region, the greater Paris area, where ICU units are saturated with Covid-19 patients. But with attendance at gatherings still capped, social distancing rules and travel restrictions in place a year ago, most visitors to the area were French. Face Masks Now Compulsory Outdoors In These French Towns - Forbes Although BA had lifted the obligation for mask wearing on board, masks were obligatory on the two flights because French rules state this is so. The French people are sick of restrictions, she said Wednesday on channel BFMTV. As Sir Keir speaks at conference, who is his wife, Lady Victoria? The administrative court in Paris also ruled that the government was wrong to suggest early on that masks did not protect people from becoming infected. It's appalling.". Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Castex initially announced that the same "attestation" regime would apply for those outings as it did during previous lockdowns requiring joggers, dog-walkers and others to fill out and sign a document statingthe time and reason for leaving homebefore each and every outing. On the French Riviera, a slow economic recovery began last summer. In recent weeks, France has relaxed other pandemic measures by suspending the vaccine pass requirement to enter indoor establishments and removing the mask mandate, withthe exception of public transportation. France has lifted most of the country's COVID-19 restrictions on Monday despite a steady rise in infections. The city on the French Riviera is using cameras equipped with speakers so that police can forcefully remind people to respect rules to stop the spread of coronavirus, local media reported. Over the weekendVran continued to walkbackthe term. Face masks will no longer be required on trains, planes and metros in France starting on May 16, the health minister said Wednesday. 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A retired couple from the U.K. visited France this week on their first trip abroad since pandemic travel restrictions were lifted. Masked passengers ride a metro in France. PARIS Take a walk along Nice's famous Promenade des Anglais without a face mask and you'll get shouted at. A retired couple from the U.K. visited France this week on their first trip abroad since pandemic travel restrictions were lifted. Here's what it's like traveling as an American using a CDC card. The surprise announcement by French Prime . French officials have invited or recommended people to go back to using face masks but stopped short of renewing restrictions that would scare visitors away or revive antigovernment protests. A Paris court ruled Tuesday that the French government failed to sufficiently stock up on surgical masks at the start of the pandemic and to prevent the virus from spreading. The limited measures bolster the impression the French government is mainly counting on its vaccination programmewhich has seen 6.1 million vaccinated, including 2.4 million fully inoculated with second doses and improving weather conditions to quell the crisis. President Biden signed into law a House bill on April 10 that immediately ended the COVID-19 presidential declaration of national emergency established in March 2020. A tour guide and electric bicycle taxi driver in Nice described her joy at seeing foreign visitors again. Everyone is so pleased to see you, everyone is really polite and nice to visitors., Sue Baker, who was traveling with her husband, Phil, and the Runcies, observed: It feels very much like pre-2020., Asked about the possible return of French mask rules, Phil Baker said, Masks are a bit uncomfortable, especially in the heat., But his wife added, If it means we can still go on a holiday, well put them back on without hesitation.. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Saint-Malo: anyone inside the city walls and on the ramparts must wear a mask outdoors between the hours of 11am and 9pm, a recent decree has stipulated. From Paris commuters to tourists on the French Riviera, many people seem to welcome the governments light touch, while some worry that required prevention measures may be needed. "I realized that the pandemic does not belong to the past," Mohammed said. A sense of scale. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Local officials are contemplating new measures, including an indoor mask mandate in some cities, but nothing that would curb economic activity. France reported new 17,601 coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the highest figure for a Monday since April 18. The government lifted most virus rules by April, and foreign tourists have returned by land, sea and air to French Mediterranean beaches, restaurants and bars. Current mask rules for popular holiday spots like Spain, Greece and France France eases mask rules; will end nightly virus curfew | AP News In the meantime, French hospitals are struggling with long-running staff and funding shortages. Local officials are contemplating new measures, including an indoor mask mandate in some cities, but nothing that would curb economic activity. Moreover, despite growing concerns expressed over Covid-19 transmission in schools, the prime minister announced that physical education classes could resume indoors, lifting a suspension on a practiceaimed at reducing transmission risk. Virus-related hospitalizations rose quickly in France over the past two weeks, with nearly 1,000 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized per day, according to government data. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. You should monitor the French Government website (in French) to inform your decisions regarding travel to, from or within France. marriage certificate) when travelling. From Paris commuters to tourists on the French Riviera, many people seem to welcome the governments light touch, while some worry that required prevention measures may be needed. The French health ministry also operates a dedicated coronavirus helpline on +33 (0)800 130 000. Hassani Mohammed, a postal worker in Paris, didn't wait for the government to decide. From Paris commuters to tourists on the French Riviera, many people seem to welcome the governments light touch, while some worry that required prevention measures may be needed. Instant Download Send me the free checklist All telephone numbers are available 24/7. The French Government recognises vaccination certificates that conform to EU norms. NICE, France (AP) Tourism is booming again in France and so is COVID-19. "We have to learn tolivewith [the virus];I've been saying thisfor a year. Five days ago, French vaccination chief Alain Fischer confirmed the country was in the midst of a new COVID-19 wave, like other European countries, adding then he was personally in favour of reinstating mandatory face mask wearing on public transport. The Saturday cut-off for travel beyond the locked-down departments saw a 20 percent rise in expected train reservations on Friday as some endeavoured to escape while they could. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. When the CDC adds a country to the Level-4 list, how should you interpret that warning? A passenger, wearing a protective face mask, walks past a self service ticketing of airline company Air France in the departures area at the Nantes-Atlantique airport in Bouguenais near Nantes, France, June 29, 2022. France required people, including tourists, to show a vaccine pass(pass vaccinal) or health pass(pass sanitaire) to board public transport and to enter most venues includingmuseums, galleries, theaters, restaurants, and tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The scheme was made stricter in January to become a vaccine pass, meaning showing a negative recent test was no longer enough to access hospitality venues, cinemas, libraries and long-distance trains. The nationwide curfew was extended from 6pm to 7pm to account for the clocks changing to daylight savingtime next Sunday. The new measures bridge the gap betweenphysical and mental health as the pandemic persists," the health minister told French daily Le Parisien. read more. More information on how to obtain a certificate/QR code is available, if vaccinated in Northern Ireland and if vaccinated in Scotland. I realized that the pandemic does not belong to the past, Mohammed said. It ultimately introduced some of Europes toughest restrictions, including an indoors and outside mask mandate that lasted more than a year, along with strict lockdowns. surgical masks, and may encourage you to take spares for long journeys. Should you cancel your trip? 2023 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. He masks up before his daily commute. For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance. That total is nonetheless still five times lower than the 366,179 record at the start of the year. Once scanned, TousAntiCovid will save your certification in the wallets section of the app, allowing you to present it at the border when you travel. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. New sanitary measures mandated in France amid fourth wave of Covid-19 The administrative court in Paris also ruled that the government was wrong to suggest early on that that masks did not protect people from becoming infected. The Mediterranean port city, 200km west of Nice, is not subject to the fresh lockdown restrictions. With Hospitalizations Up, France Weighs Return to Masks - VOA rance has lifted most of its Covid restrictions including vaccine passes and mandatory mask-wearing from Monday. Here's what you need to know as the EU introduces flexible travel rules for children. It ultimately introduced some of Europe's toughest restrictions, including an indoors and outside mask mandate that lasted more than a year, along with strict lockdowns. Walking in a park, riding a bike We need those [activities] so we don't crack. With his wife recovering from surgery and two children at home, he does not want to risk contracting the coronavirus a third time. "Wearing a mask remains recommended," he added, but the rule is "no longer appropriate" given the large drop in Covid cases recently. You'll also need one to board public transport and taxis, including Uber. The UK has been moved from the orange or mid-risk list to France's lower-risk green category in its international travel restrictions, making it significantly easier for UK travelers who haven't been vaccinated against COVID-19 to visit France. Marseille saw a mass rebellion against Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday as more than 6,000 people gathered, mostly unmasked, at an illegal carnival-style street party. The US, like the UK, is now classified as a 'green' or low-risk country and passengers are asked to present their CDC vaccination cards. Testing is widely available in France in most pharmacies and medical facilities but you'll generally need to make an appointment in advance. A majority of French people surveyed say newmeasures should have been decided earlier and that at this point they are unlikely to be sufficient. The minimum cost of supervised COVID-19 tests in France is 44 for PCR tests and 22 for rapid antigen tests. A poll by the Odoxa firm released Friday showed 78 percent of French people surveyed felt the new restrictions should have been imposed sooner and 52 percent thought they would be "insufficient given the current health situation". It ultimately introduced some of Europes toughest restrictions, including an indoors and outside mask mandate that lasted more than a year, along with strict lockdowns. NICE, France (AP) Tourism is booming again in France and so is COVID-19. It ultimately introduced some of Europes toughest restrictions, including an indoors and outside mask mandate that lasted more than a year, along with strict lockdowns. Traveling to France during Covid-19: What you need to know before you The administrative court in Paris also ruled that the government was wrong to suggest early on that that masks did not protect people from becoming infected. France ends major COVID rules: what changes for travelers - Lonely Planet But other ministerswere quick to suggest the new measures were simply a tightening of restrictions. Four days after France suspended its useamid blood clot concerns across Europe, the country's health authority re-approved use of the vaccinebut recommended it only for those age55 and above. Mask mandates have been lifted in most venues including shops, restaurants, gyms, museums and workplaces, but there are some exceptions. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. The administrative. 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(AP Photo/Michel Euler), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, Infections are also rising across Europe and the United States, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. Masks as well as a health pass provingvaccination status are still required for entering hospitals, and people who test positive must still self-isolate for at least seven days. What new Covid rules come into place in France on Monday? The Certificate proves that you have been vaccinated, received a negative test result, or recovered from COVID-19. Health professionals are also scepticalthat the new restrictions will workas Covid-19 numbers continue to rise. After the prime minister this week recommended that people resume wearing masks on public transportation, commuter Raphaelle Vertaldi said, "We need to deal with the virus, but we can't stop living because of it.". A Paris court ruled Tuesday that the French government failed to sufficiently stock up on surgical masks at the start of the pandemic and to prevent the virus from spreading. Masks have been contentious in France. I took a BA flight from Marseille to LHR and back to Marseille a few weeks ago. People on the Seine river bank, in Paris, France, on Saturday, March 20, 2021.People on the Seine river bank, in Paris, France, on Saturday, March 20, 2021. Some places in Europe require an EU Digital Covid Certificate to enter. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Take international news everywhere with you! French officials have invited or recommended people to go back to using face masks but stopped short of renewing restrictions that would scare visitors away or revive antigovernment protests. A Paris court ruled Tuesday that the French government failed to sufficiently stock up on surgical masks at the start of the pandemic and to prevent the virus from spreading. PARIS (Reuters) - People will have to wear masks outdoors in many of the major areas of the southern French city of Nice, Mayor Christian Estrosi said on Monday, including parts of the tourist. A tour guide and electric bicycle taxi driver in Nice described her joy at seeing foreign visitors again. But that requirement was quickly scrapped on Saturday after the Interior Ministry weathered ridicule over the baffling complexity of its two-page printable permission slip, which provided check boxes alongside no fewer than 15 authorised reasons for outings, each described in very technical language. "In the end, it will be better than before because we gain an hour in the evening with the curfew at 7pm," Louise, a yoga teacher, told Agence France-Presse. The new rules also suspend in-person browsing in certain non-essential shops, although the exceptions have been expanded this time to include bookshops, music shops, car dealerships, hairdressers, floristsand, with the Easter holiday approaching, chocolate shops. A Paris court ruled Tuesday that the French government failed to sufficiently stock up on surgical masks at the start of the pandemic and to prevent the virus from spreading. French tourism professionals expect a booming summer season despite the virus, with numbers that may even surpass pre-pandemic levels as Americans benefit from the weaker euro and others rediscover foreign travel after more than two years of a more circumscribed existence. During Frances repeated lockdowns, she transported essential workers, and took people to hospitals, to care for elderly relatives or for PCR tests. Face masks will no longer be mandatory in classrooms for children and the requirement to wear them in shops, public services and places of work has also been scrapped. You can change your cookie settings at any time. We are confident that people will behave responsibly.. "From Monday, May 16, masks will no longer be mandatory for all public transport," Health Minister Olivier Vran said after a weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday. They started with a river cruise down the Rhne face masks were mandatory on the ship and ended with a few days on the Mediterranean. Marseille saw a mass rebellion against Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday as more than 6,000 people gathered, mostly unmasked, at an illegal carnival-style street party. With his wife recovering from surgery and two children at home, he does not want to risk contracting the coronavirus a third time. With hospitalizations up, France weighs return to masks 7 days after a third dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax for domestic use (to obtain a valid health pass), or, 28 days after a second dose of Johnson & Johnson, or, 7 days after a second injection for those able to demonstrate they have already been infected (this only applies to those vaccinated in France) for domestic use (to obtain a valid vaccine pass). Early in the pandemic, the French government suggested masks werent helpful. French government spokesperson Olivia Gregoire has said there are no plans to reintroduce national regulations that limit or set conditions for gathering indoors and other activities. Biden border policies have caused catastrophe in Texas: Rep. Congresswoman says GOPs future is younger, more diverse, Texas ranks No. Those vaccinated in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can also choose to scan and save the NHS QR code into Frances TousAntiCovid digital app. Masks on Airplanes - Paris Forum - Tripadvisor See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. A Paris court ruled Tuesday that the French government failed to sufficiently stock up on surgical masks at the start of the pandemic and to prevent the virus from spreading. Travellers outside these circumstances will need to pay for a COVID-19 test. French officials have invited or recommended people to go back to using face masks but stopped short of renewing restrictions that would scare visitors away or revive anti-government protests. Vertaldi, who was boarding a train in Boussy-Saint-Antoine south of Paris, said she opposed mandatory mask use but would cover her mouth and nose again, if the government requires it. France accepts vaccines authorized by theEuropean Union (EU) or those approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use. France has tightened its rules on face masks in recent days with single-use, 'surgical' masks being stipulated for all airline passengers. This means travelers are no longer required to present proof of vaccination, complete a sworn statement before. Early in the pandemic, the French government suggested masks weren't helpful. Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting. A tour guide and electric bicycle taxi driver in Nice described her joy at seeing foreign visitors again. "Vaccinations are a game-changer,"he told the newspaper,pledgingto provide 100,000 extra doses over the next 15 days to the regions hardest-hit by the current surge of Covid-19 infections. You should visit the French Government Coronavirus Information page or use the TousAntiCovid digital app for further information and to stay up to date on restrictions. For further information visit the French governments website on the pass sanitaire. any country signed up to the EU digital COVID cert program, First-time France: where to go and what to do, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Mask mandates have been lifted in most venues including shops, restaurants, gyms, museums and workplaces, but there are some exceptions. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. If you're coming from an 'orange' or mid-risk country, you'll be asked to show proof of vaccination. Here are the top 10 things to do when you visit. Its been delightful from start to finish, said Ros Runcie, who was in Nice with her husband, Gordon. French Govt 'Recommends' People Mask Up Again, Considers Mandate Moreover, were dropping face masks without implementing any parallel measures to ventilate closed spaces and prevent viral concentrations., He added: With the presidential campaign in full swing, the motive is clearly political, not sanitary.. ", "We wantto put the brakes on the virus without locking ourselves away, without being confined," President Emmanuel Macron elaborated on Friday, rejecting the term "lockdown". The measures concern 15 contiguous departments stretching from eastern Normandy and the greater Paris area northwest to the Belgian border and to a lone southeast department, Alpes-Maritimes, which includes the city of Nice. In northwest France, Brittany's Finistere area, on Monday ordered people to cover their mouths and noses outdoors after an increase in Covid cases. With hospitalizations up, France weighs return to masks - Medical Xpress No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 2023 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. On Tuesday, 56,449 new cases were reported over the previous 24 hours, mainly the Omicron variant, despite a concerted vaccination campaign that has seen 79.3 percent of the population receive all three required doses, according to health ministry data. Right now, the cartels are exploiting those immigrants with human trafficking, sex trafficking, child trafficking, De La Cruz said. >> 'A French exception': Experts call for rethink of open-schools policy amid pandemic. PARIS, June 27 (Reuters) - French people should start wearing masks again in crowded areas, especially in public transport, as France has to deal with a new wave of COVID-19 infections. More than 30,000 new daily infections were registered within the previous 24 hours on both Friday and Saturday in France, and the more contagious and more lethal British variant represents the majority of new infections. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. "In the event of a brawl or large grouping . But with attendance at gatherings still capped, social distancing rules and travel restrictions in place a year ago, most visitors to the area were French. The measure will affect some 90,000 businesses, although the government said that shopswould be looked at on a "case-by-case" basis should any "aberrations" come to light. Health Minister Olivier Vran, who joined Castex atThursday's press conference, asked aloud. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports, Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for France on the TravelHealthPro website. The measures for Nice coincide with similar new rules to make the wearing of masks compulsory outdoors in several major French cities, as France looks to fight against a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. Here's how to travel to France right now - The Points Guy A 10-kilometre radius, the distance permitted for outings for sport or fresh air amid new French Covid-19 restrictions, starting from central Paris. They started with a cruise down the River Rhne face masks were mandatory on the ship and ended with a few days on the Mediterranean. The Pyrenees are known for their spectacular sunsets, ample hiking opportunities, and unique landscapes. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. There are articles you can find from the 90s, from the early 2000s and even the 2010s talking about this, said one McCallum High School student. You have accepted additional cookies. Masks have been contentious in France. dailyrecord Load mobile navigation. "I'm not merely advising it, I'm asking for it," adding face masks should also be worn again in other closed areas, such as workplaces or shops. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. They'refumblingaround in the dark searching for the light switch. What are the rules on wearing a mask in France? - The Local Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. The fresh measures, affecting21 million people or almost a third of France's population,contrast starkly with the first French lockdown when schools, parks and all-but-essential shops were shuttered nationwide from March 17 to May 10. France further eases COVID restrictions on masks and health passes