Vaccinated travelers from the European Union Member States will continue to be allowed to enter France according to recent statements from French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Following tightening restrictions on travel from the United Kingdom, Macron stated that EU travelers will not have to undergo COVID-19 testing or any other additional rules to enter the country.
His official Twitter account released this statement for clarity. Faced with variants of the virus, we must continue to act like Europeans. People who have been vaccinated will not have to take any tests to travel between member countries of the European Union.
Unlike several countries like Italy who have restricted travel within the EU, Macron believes that travel within the EU should not be restricted. Macron’s stance is that the intercontinental restrictions do not have any significant impact in reducing the number of infections.
Travelers from the EU/Schengen Area simply must present a valid EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate showing they are fully vaccinated or recovered from the virus. Those who are unvaccinated traveling from a green-listed country however are also permitted entry if they present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result.
Starting December 18, the only travelers from the U.K who will be allowed into France or those traveling for an essential purpose. All other non-essential travel has been banned and all visitors must follow strict entry rules, such as testing requirements.
Macron’s new rules have been criticized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), while also suggesting that all EU governments should coordinate their rules and restrictions.