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Just when it was looking like international travel was impossible this year, the last few weeks have changed everything. Hunt for your old phrasebook and get shopping for a beret, because the world’s number one tourist destination is looking like it will be back on the menu this summer. France – a country synonymous with romance, fashion and food – looks set to allow American tourists to travel there this summer – providing that they have been vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting new announcement.
France Set To Re-Open For Americans – What Travelers Should Know
Welcoming almost 90 million tourists in 2019 – the last year unaffected by the pandemic – France took the top spot when it comes to the most visited countries in the world, welcoming 6 million more tourists than second-placed Spain and 10 million more than the US, who take the bronze medal in third.
As a result of border closures and restrictions enforced by the pandemic, recent statistics about travel to France show huge reductions in the number of people traveling – though that could all soon be set to change. Speaking yesterday morning, France’s President Emmanuel Macron revealed plans to allow Americans the opportunity to visit as early as next month.
“We will progressively lift the restrictions of the beginning of May, which means that we will organize in the summertime with our professionals in France for French European citizens, but as well for American citizens,” Macron said, giving hope to the millions of travelers who are bound to have destinations such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre on their travel bucket lists.
Elaborating further, Macron went on to add that they were “working hard to propose a very concrete solution, especially for U.S. citizens who are vaccinated,” mentioning that the creation of a special pass could be an option. “The idea indeed is altogether to offer that to the American citizen when they decided to vaccinate or with a PCR test being negative. So the idea is indeed to always control the virus, to maximize the vaccination and to progressively lift the restrictions.”
Whilst no exact timelines have been provided, it is believed that the governments are currently finalizing discussions on how they can reopen travel. The news comes as the concept of an EU vaccine passport took a step closer towards becoming a reality last week, as ambassadors met and agreed to a draft legal framework that will see the matter debated before the European Parliament. The vaccine passport, referred to as Digital Green Certificates, would see more streamlined, easier travel between countries in the EU.
Macron’s comments come as France is currently in its third national lockdown. France’s 7-day rolling average of Covid-19 cases currently stands at 32,978 – whilst this is still a high figure, it is significantly lower than their daily case record of nearly 90,000, which was reached in November of last year. Almost 13 million have received one dose of the vaccine, whilst 4.5 million have been given both doses.
In order to limit Covid-19 from spreading further, France recently imposed entry restrictions on travelers from Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Brazil. People coming from these countries must be French nationals and their families, EU citizens or others with a permanent home in France, and they must serve a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Read More:
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3 More Countries Now Allowing Vaccinated Travelers
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Bethany
Monday 19th of April 2021
Are we going to receive updates for those travelers who are uncomfortable being vaccinated? What are the travel options for those who do not want to take this vaccine? All headlines have been very vaccination-forward and this is not the desired reality for millions of individuals.
alex
Tuesday 20th of April 2021
@Bethany, there is no country in the world that absolutely requires a vaccine to enter. you are being brainwashed by the media so you feel pressured to take it. you dont need it at all, just show a negative covid test instead like mentioned in the article.
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 19th of April 2021
You are correct that lots of headlines recently have been of vaccine news, but that is because for the past 14 months we have been reporting on only countries being closed - or - open with only PCR testing and/or quarantines. Vaccine news is just allowing more options for travel in general, so important to cover. We still report on countries reopening with testing and/or quarantines regularly for those that don't want to or cannot receive the vaccine.
Philippe
Monday 19th of April 2021
As French, wait and see...Macron announcements not always credible !
Richard Fink
Monday 19th of April 2021
Any info similar for Italy, Holland, UK? We would like to include those countries in a visit to France. Where can information like this be found?
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 19th of April 2021
Hi Richard, I just published an article on this topic a few minutes ago, (Click HERE to read)
Wentian Chan
Monday 19th of April 2021
I had given up on France until 2022 - along with all my travel coupons from last year. I'd already planned out a month long itinerary in Iceland for this summer. And now everything is upside down?! Please keep us posted !
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 19th of April 2021
This France news did surprise us! Same with Greece, who made good on their promise as of today, so we expect France to also follow through. Unknown if France will extend this past Americans and apply the reopening globally, but we will keep our eye on it closely
R
Monday 19th of April 2021
Do you have word yet if Canadians will be included in this?
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 19th of April 2021
We don't know yet. Greece's news does NOT include Canadians, so France's announcement might be the same.