If the vast majority of French holidaymakers wisely stay in France for their holidays - 86% of those who leave against 75% last year - it is impossible for some to imagine spending the summer without having stayed in a foreign country or in addition -Sea. However, the latter must do with changing and more or less restrictive health measures depending on the area they wish to visit.
Long-haul travel is complicated. For example, it is impossible to imagine going to the United States, Brazil or even Australia. On the other hand, it is quite possible to go to a European country. Be careful, however, of the conditions imposed on foreign visitors: the rules, sometimes restrictive, can be different from one country to another and, above all, change radically from one day to another depending on the epidemic situation. Here is what you need to know about the most popular territories for the French during each summer period.
Spain, Portugal, Italy: open, but beware of Catalonia
The two countries of the Iberian Peninsula and Italy are accessible to tourists without restrictions. Spain still requires, since July 1, to complete a public health form that generates a QR code to be presented on request on arrival in the country.
If there is no particular problem in going to the Balearic or Canary Islands, beware of the Catalan region, which is also very popular with the French. On site, in Barcelona and in many surrounding municipalities, it is compulsory to wear a mask in the street and the population is encouraged to stay at home. Rules hardly compatible with a "vacation" spirit. The epidemic situation remains “evolving” there and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against going there “until the situation recovers”. Worse, the Quai d'Orsay "strongly" encourages French nationals who are currently in Catalonia and Barcelona to return and perform a screening test.
Greece: a random check
Greece has relaxed its rules for arriving at the borders. No more quarantine for travelers from an Ile-de-France airport as was the case in June but random checks at Athens airport. Some passengers, drawn at random, are subjected to a test and must, in case of positivity, undergo isolation for 14 days at the expense of the Greek state. So better to be sure you don't have symptoms that could resemble those of the coronavirus before you go.
United Kingdom: travel under surveillance
The quarantine imposed at the beginning of June on foreign travelers, including the French, has not been in effect since July 10. It is therefore quite possible to travel to London for a few days, or to one of the countries of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland).
The only condition is to complete a detailed form (identity, on-site itinerary, place of residence, etc.) less than 48 hours before departure. The risk of being confined remains nonetheless real because the British authorities revise the rules of access to the borders every three weeks. In the event of a resurgence of the virus, they can therefore immediately decide to close them.
Morocco: open but impassable borders
Even if, officially, Morocco announced the reopening of its borders on July 14, to allow the return of its nationals and the departures of foreign residents living there, it is (almost) impossible to go there as a tourist: Air and sea links from and to France remain suspended.
The only solution: board a coach to reach the country via Spain. The Quai d'Orsay advises for its part to postpone any trip to Morocco, where the state of health emergency is extended until August 10. Those who still want to try the adventure will have to present two Covid tests (PCR and serological) dating less than 48 hours to the authorities.
DOM-TOM: no quarantine but a test to be provided
Since July 18, vacationers who want to enjoy the beaches of Martinique and Guadeloupe or trudge through the circuses of Reunion Island must justify, when boarding their flight, a Covid-19 test. negative made within 72 hours of departure.
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Another formality: sign a sworn statement that they do not show symptoms and that they have not, to their knowledge, visited a person confirmed positive for the coronavirus. Without these documents, the airline can refuse boarding.