(Updated with the decree published on July 28, 2020)
Announced Friday by Prime Minister Jean Castex, the measure comes into force on August 1. If you have planned to return to France, you must therefore prepare: a negative result of the coronavirus test will be required for people arriving from sixteen countries, including the United States.
What test is it?
This is the so-called PCR (virological) test, therefore the virus screening test, and not the serological test (which indicates that antibodies are present and therefore that the person has been previously infected). So, even if you have had the serological test and you are an anti-body carrier, you will still need to do a PCR test to be able to fly.
Who is concerned ?
All persons eleven years of age or over from the United States and the fifteen other target countries: South Africa, Algeria, Brazil, India, Israel, Kuwait, Madagascar, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Serbia, Turkey, Bahrain, Emirates United Arabs and Panama.
Can I take the test when I arrive at the airport in Paris?
No, not from the United States. You must present a negative test, carried out at most 72 hours before, to be able to board. Testing centers will be set up in Roissy, but only for travelers coming from countries where tests are difficult to obtain locally, ie twelve of the countries on the list. Only travelers from the United States, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Panama are subject to the obligation to present a boarding test.
Is the travel certificate still compulsory?
Yes, the test requirement is in addition to the other limitations. Entry into France from the United States is therefore always prohibited, except for French or European nationals. You will therefore need to present the travel certificate, available here.
(The decree of July 27, published on the 28).
