France Prepares To Welcome Tourists In June While Easing Restrictions
At last, travelers can think ahead of a trip to France, as the country gradually eases restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Wednesday saw the European country reopening its restaurants, bars and tourist attractions after a six-month closure. This is the second stage of France’s preparations to welcome vaccinated tourists, including Americans, from June 9, prior to fully reopening the country on June 30.
France prepares to reopen to all
France’s vaccination rollout is well on the way and the country aims for its nationals to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of summer. On Wednesday, May 19, outdoor terraces in cafés, restaurants and bars reopened across the country. Locals can now visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, museums and theaters with pre-booked tickets.
As France pushes ahead with its vaccination rollout, businesses are once again throwing open their doors. Wednesday, May 19, marked the reopening of outdoor terraces in cafes and bars across France. Residents can climb the Eiffel Tower and visit the Louvre as cultural attractions, museums and theaters welcome visitors with pre-booked tickets. Markets and non-essential shops have also been allowed to open, admittedly with guidelines in place, while the curfew has now been rolled back from 7 pm to 9pm.
Some COVID-19 rules still apply
While restrictions are easing, some COVID-19 rules still apply. In large towns and cities, people are still required to wear masks in indoor public spaces, as well as some outdoor spaces.
Travelers from non-EU countries continue to be banned from entry, with the exception of Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. However, despite this, officials from the French government and the White House are currently finalizing discussions relating to a “special pass” to allow US citizens to enter the country by June 9. The special pass will also be offered to other non-EU visitors who have been vaccinated.
About the ‘special pass’
President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Face the Nation on CBS News back in April. Macron said France was working hard to propose firm solutions for travelers who have been vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19. While no firm details of how the “special pass” would work, Macron did suggest that this might form part of the European “digital green pass.” This app is soon to be launched and will indicate a tourist’s vaccine and testing status.
Digital Green Pass
On Wednesday, the European Union confirmed that it plans to open its borders to fully vaccinated travelers who have received vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency. These include the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.
It is still unknown when the borders will open, but it is likely to happen prior to the high summer season. This could mean the new pass could be introduced within weeks. Other countries in Europe have gone ahead with their reopening plans, including Italy, who will accept Americans traveling on the Delta COVID-tested flights. Greece is also planning to welcome tourists back to its beautiful islands, as they continue to vaccinate the islands’ residents.
Travelers can look forward to the easing of further restrictions in France by the time June 9 arrives. The country is planning to push back its curfew to 11 pm. Also, indoor dining will be expanded to 50 percent capacity. Non-essential shops will also be allowed to ease back on their social distancing rules.
Another benefit for visiting France is that officials have confirmed that tourists can receive free COVID-19 PCR tests in the country, if they are required for their homeward bound journey. However, so far, no further details have been revealed about these plans.
As restrictions continue to ease worldwide, this gives people hope that traveling could return to normal in the future.
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