The French government has adopted tighter control measures for Covid in response to a rise in cases of contamination in the UK. The country is now classified as an orange riskin other words, there is a active circulation of the virus in controlled proportions. Hence new measures for passengers travelling by Eurostar between Paris and London. They came into effect on 1 November.
The Prefecture of Police specifies that :
- For a traveller who has been vaccinated (full vaccination schedule), theEntry to the territory
metropolitan area is not subject to any restrictions.
- If the traveller is not vaccinated (or if his vaccination schedule is incomplete), he should provide a compelling reason to enter mainland France. And present a PCR or antigen test less than 24 hours old before departure. They may also be screened on arrival in France.
In response to the recent resurgence of Covid cases in the UK, the Préfecture de Police has set up a specific COVID-19 screening system at Gare du Nord station. The scheme is supported by the Central Border Police (PAF) and the French Rescue and First Aid Federation (FFSS - an approved civil protection association).
French border police check travellers' vaccination status at London St. Pancras station. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a screening system on the platform will direct travellers who have not been vaccinated (or who have not been able to show proof of a complete vaccination schedule) to a dedicated screening centre in the station concourse. This will make it necessary to plan longer transit times at the departure of the two stations.
British subtleties...
According to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on return, travellers who have been fully vaccinated must, when crossing the border, in addition to their "passenger locator form", provide proof of purchase of a test to be carried out no later than two days after arrival in the country. The test purchase number must be affixed to the locator form. Entry into the country is considered as day "0". If the traveller is staying less than 48 hours, this test is still compulsory. Tests can be PCR or antigenic.
Another subtlety: travellers who have had only one dose of vaccine after being affected by Covid-19 are not considered to be fully vaccinated. They must then follow the procedure for non-vaccinated travellers.
