Jean Castex spoke on Thursday 22 April to review the health situation in France and the resulting changes to the regulatory framework. In particular, the Prime Minister confirmed that travel in France could resume on 3 May next: " From 3 May, we will be able to lift the constraints on daytime travel". he declared. This means that the 10 km limit will be lifted, and inter-regional travel will resume. Referring to a reopening " in stages"., " cautious and progressive".Jean Castex cited shops, sporting and cultural activities, and outdoor cafés in particular. However, the list of sectors affected by this first wave of reopenings has not yet been finalised, and the rules could once again be territorialised. Further details are expected to be announced. in the next few days".However, the Prime Minister was optimistic for the summer ahead: " New prospects are opening up for us, and we are determined to take every step that will lead us, I am sure, to as normal a summer as possible " , he said.
From Saturday, a system of checks will be introduced for people arriving from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and India.
As for the international context, Jean Castex confirmed that entry conditions into France would be tightened from 24 April for countries facing a new outbreak of the epidemic. " We must remain all the more vigilant because the epidemic is resurgent in certain parts of the world, and it is our duty to guard against it by maintaining a high level of control over travel, particularly to or from countries facing a high-risk health situation. (...) The appearance of new variants (...) particularly in Brazil and recently in India justify further tightening our conditions for arrivals from the most high-risk countries (...) From Saturday, a system of checks will therefore be put in place for people arriving from the following countries Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and India. The list of reasons for arriving in France will be further restricted, and tests will be systematically carried out not only on departure but also on arrival. Above all, each person will then be subject to strict quarantine, (...) accompanied by checks by the forces of law and order".said the Prime Minister.
A "health airlock" for high-risk countries
Immediately, Gérald Darmanin confirmed this reinforcement of measures, going back on the suspension of flights imposed a few days earlier on the Brazil : " Faced with the worsening health situation, we decided to take more drastic measures. As early as 14 April, we suspended flights from Brazil, but we know that stopping air links only offers partial protection. Such a measure could lead to increase in the number of bypasses. (...) The suspension of flights cannot be a widespread and lasting measure. The best protection against variants is installation of a sanitary lock on arrival on our territory. As of Saturday morning, we will therefore be setting up this sanitary lockwith a significantly strengthened quarantine arrangementsof ten daysfor all travellers coming from countries where the health situation is deemed to be of concern".explained the Minister of the Interior. He also indicated that the time required for the PCR test had been reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours. He added: " In addition to the systematic test, all passengers arriving from these countries, regardless of the result of their test (...), will be placed under a ten-day quarantine" . The location of this quarantine will have to be specified by each traveller before taking their flight to France, so that checks can be carried out. A receipt (proof of address, hotel reservation) will be required. It will be up to the airline to refuse travellers who do not meet these new requirements. Exits from the quarantine area will only be permitted between 10am and midday. Jean Castex has also stated that he will be visiting an airport at the beginning of the week with the Minister for Transport and the Minister for the Interior to ensure that these measures are effective.
