Travelers arriving in Corsica from the mainland have been asked since Saturday morning by the authorities to present their certificate on the honor of having carried out a Covid test and proof from the laboratory.
In the early morning, passengers arriving in Ajaccio aboard two ferries from Marseille and Toulon were systematically checked by police as they left the ships.
On board, a doctor had even carried out tests during the crossing.
Lots of checks this weekend
"A large number of checks will be carried out by the police in all airports and ports in Corsica from this weekend," warned the prefecture on Friday, when the end of year holidays begin.
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Compulsory Covid test: what you need to know before leaving for Corsica for the holidays
If the results of these tests will not be directly requested by the various airlines or shipping companies from passengers or even by the authorities, travelers must certify on their honor having done an RT-PCR or antigen test "less than 72 hours" before. to embark on the Mediterranean island.
They must also certify not to be positive for Covid-19, not to present symptoms and "not to have been in contact with a confirmed case in the fourteen days preceding the trip", specified the prefecture.
In the event of a police check, they will have to show proof from the laboratory or the pharmacy proving that they have passed the test otherwise they risk a fine of 135 euros, increased in the event of a repeat offense.
These obligations have been in effect since Saturday and until January 8 for all people over 11 years old going to Corsica.
"Very special situation"
The company Air Corsica announced that antigenic tests could be carried out even on the day of departure at the five airports (Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Paris Orly) where it offers flights.
To justify the implementation of this new measure in Corsica, the director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), Marie-Hélène Lecenne highlighted the "very particular situation" of the island where the incidence rate of the virus has fallen sharply, at a time when large flows of visitors are expected for the end of the year holidays from territories where the incidence rate is still high.
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During the first wave of Covid-19 in the spring, Corsica was particularly affected.
In total, 139 people have died on this island of 340,000 inhabitants since the start of the epidemic (including 49 since September), according to the latest report from the ARS published on Friday.
