This is a clarification that some would probably have wanted to obtain in a slightly clearer way, since it had not been given by Édouard Philippe last week during the presentation of phase 2 of the deconfinement. If the limit of 100 kilometers will no longer be in effect on Tuesday, flights between Corsica and the mainland will remain subject to the presentation of a document attesting to an imperative reason.
The government has just published this Monday in the Official Journal the decrees implementing the new rules in force, those which will last until June 22. Those who had planned to fly soon to Corsica or to leave the island of beauty towards the content will no doubt be closely interested in article 10 of decree n ° 2020-663 of May 31, 2020.
Compelling reasons remain the rule
It reads as follows: "Unless they are based on an imperative reason of a personal or family order, a health reason relating to the emergency or a professional reason which cannot be deferred, the movement of persons by transport air traffic departing from the mainland of France to one of the communities mentioned in article 72-3 of the Constitution or the community of Corsica ”.
It is therefore well inscribed black on white that Corsica remains treated like the communities of Overseas, while a doubt remained until then. Questioned on this subject by Corsica morning , Franck Robine, prefect of Corsica, confirmed the information. “We are in a phase of gradual exit from confinement. We are still on transport which remains constrained, but everything is done so that the tourist season opens on June 23, ”he explains.
Air transport between Corsica and the continent will remain subject to a compelling reason until June 23. The explanations of Franck Robine, prefect of Corsica
Air transport between Corsica and the continent will remain subject to a compelling reason until June 23. The explanations of Franck Robine, prefect of Corsica.
Gepostet von Corse-Matin am Montag, 1. Juni 2020Sea transport is possible
The situation is not the same for maritime transport. These are indeed possible, from Tuesday, June 2. Why such a difference ? The prefect puts forward legal reasons. “With regard to maritime transport, it is the Prefect who will limit the ability of boats to be able to take passengers. On the other hand in air matters, I could not have this power, it is therefore the imperative reason which makes it possible to travel ».
If the health passport project dear to Gilles Simeoni, the nationalist president of the Executive Council of Corsica, is not taken up, the decree published this day specifies as regards maritime transport as the transporter, whether for ferries or planes, "may ask the passenger to present, before boarding, a declaration on honor certifying that he has no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that he is not aware of having been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to boarding ”. Otherwise, "access may be refused and it may be renewed outside the areas concerned".
Quarantine upon arrival in Corsica?
Also in this decree, the government left the option of making quarantine mandatory for any traveler arriving in Corsica, as soon as the latter had stayed, "during the month preceding this entry or arrival, in a infection circulation area ”. It is the Ministry of Health which is competent in the matter to determine by decree these famous zones. Could a person arriving in Corsica from Ile-de-France be required to respect a quarantine? Olivier Véran's services tell us that "this subject is still in arbitration".
Air France tickets purchased before April 22 can be carried forward
What will happen to travelers who are a little too advanced in booking air tickets from the announcements of Edouard Philippe? Will they be reimbursed? Asked about this, the Air France company said that "nothing changes" with regard to commercial practices. “Tickets purchased before April 22 can be carried over without charge until November 30. After this date, a postponement remains possible at no cost unless the initial price is no longer available, ”informed the press service of the airline.
And for those who threw themselves on the reservations at the time of the Prime Minister's announcements, "all tickets reserved after April 22 can be changed at no cost".