adambrau

Correct.

Chuvash

Here is the trip report everyone has been waiting for.

Flew JFK to CDG direct on DL this weekend

Some background on my case for reference:

• French Passport with non European/US address
• Single traveler
• Flying Economy
• STE+

Checked in at the airport since I couldn’t OLCI. No mention of the attestation de déplacement, they just asked to see the Covid test and asked if I had the health declaration (but didn’t check it).

They asked (and have asked every time I’ve flown these past few months) my country of residence. I said France as always; no further question.

At boarding everyone was being directed to the podium for a second check of the Covid test. No further question and I was on my way.

At CDG, you can see they have beefed up the health theater: the COVID tests are now checked by protection civile instead of ADP employees.

DL handed us the old attestation during the flight so I had that and was ready to play dumb in case they asked for motif impérieux but that was all unnecessary.

The PAF agent barely looked at my passport and didn’t ask a single question before letting me in. They didn’t ask to see my attestations at any point

In summary and as predicted the travel ban on French citizens appears to be more theatrical than anything else.

blairvanhorn

Thank you, Chuvash, for this detailed and interesting report.

Yul_voyager

I just looked at the global covid numbers this morning and it looks like France is now the worst country in the world after Israel, Czech Republic, and a short list of smaller countries. Worse than the US, UK, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Sweden...
And still, they are arguing that they are closing borders to avoid a new lock-down...

bostontraveler

@Chuvash thanks for the additional data point.

Do we have any recent data on people leaving France? Specifically, how difficult are they being? Or has the drama calmed down after the blitz the first week of February?

I am still wondering if I can feasibly leave without huge difficulty... with two foreign passports.. ?

(though my big trip, SBH is cancelled... grrrrrrrr)

ianmanka

I know the situation changes daily, but a US citizen who arrives from a non-EU country, transiting CDG while never leaving the international transit area to an onward non-EU destination, has the negative PCR test in-hand, and completes the health declaration form should be allowed to board and travel without a motif impérieux -- right? (Since they are never "entering" France/EU)

bostontraveler

Yes, transit is permitted. As you are not entering France you are not subject to that rule.

Goldorak

Thanks a lot for this report. And what about the self-isolation period and commitment to do a test for "release" ? Did you have to provide a signed statement/form with your address of self-isolation ?

Chuvash

I had the form in my back pocket just in case, but I didn’t show it since absolutely no one asked to see it (or any other form for that mater). Not that it’s enforceable anyway since the Supreme Court was pretty clear on that back in May.

brunos

French daily cases are roughly twice as bad as in other major European countries (Germany, UK, Spain, Italy) and increasing.
Seen from abroad, weak domestic restrictions (including travel within EU), coupled with strict non-EU travel restrictions looks inconsistent.
But I doubt that non-EU travel restrictions will be lifted before the summer. I also expect them to be enforced more strictly, as this is one area where the government can easily "show off".

blairvanhorn

Yes, that and "weekend lockdowns" .... 🙄🙄

Wil973

Even if the numbers are bad please don't compare like that ..
NOne of the countries you choosed have free test ..so of course the numbers can be low. .. i paid 100 euros for a test in rio .. and of course no wait time ...
I agree the numbers are bad in france but the positivy % is 6.3...
It is like saying hey Madagascar only 260 cases this week but hey only 2500 test also

Chuvash

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil973

Even if the numbers are bad please don't compare like that ..

Free testing is widely available in the US including in NY and TX where I’ve experienced it. It’s even free for uninsured individuals. In NY you often get same day results.

I paid c.$50 in Rio but only because I did not have a referral from a GP, it’s free otherwise. I would be very surprised if Russia also didn’t have free testing, they tend to be good at that stuff based on my experience.

Wil973

Free in Rio where please. I would love to know. Please don't say hospital when you have symptoms

brunos

I feel bad for having contributed. Apologies.
But, please, let's not get side-tracked and engage in one of those debates totally unrelated to the thread topic.