Difficult for our compatriots abroad to specify the program of the next vacation.
After the latest announcements on the relaxation of the confinement planned in the second time from December 15, the some 2.5 million French people living outside France have something to be both relieved and undecided.
Certainly, they will be able to come without difficulty on French soil with a simple negative test.
But as responses to the virus vary from country to country, the question of return arises.
Should they take the risk of remaining stranded in France?
To read also: The French will be fixed on the winter holidays "in ten days", according to the Secretary of State for Tourism
Christmas is however a highly anticipated date for "expats", particularly this year when the pandemic has already held some in exile for many months.
This is the case for Marie, Cédric and their four children who, in Dubai, have not moved since last March: “
We used to come back every summer since we
moved
to the Emirates, but this year we had to to give it up, the risk was too great of not being able to return,
”they explain.
As soon as the presidential address was over, tickets were reserved.
“
We weren't going to wait any longer.
After a year away from family and friends, it's starting to get long!
".
A difficult choice
The decision becomes a real headache for some, given the changing measures from country to country.
While an expatriate in the United Arab Emirates or Spain may return to his country of residence with a "return authorization" or a simple negative test, other states such as Switzerland, which hosts the largest community French abroad, require a compulsory fortnight, a condition that is discouraging.
“
At this price, I prefer to stay in Zürich and spend Christmas with my friends,
” says Léa, teacher.
"
In any case, my profession as a teacher leaves me no choice, I absolutely must be present on the day of the start of the school year
".
In the United States or in China, you still have to have a "compelling reason" to be able to cross borders.
Read also: Will students be able to go abroad in January 2021?
A sign of the reluctance that gnaws at the French, the rate of reservations on Air France flights is still very low.
The day after the presidential address, only the junctions between the metropolis and the overseas territories were taken by storm.
For other destinations, travelers remain "
cautious
", "
and this despite total flexibility on refunds and exchanges
" specifies the airline.
“
For us, this is a clear indicator of doubt among customers, who risk making up their minds at the last moment
”.
Read also: Covid: had the epidemic started to ebb before containment?
Confusion of information
In two days, Myriam is supposed to take off from Cancún with her Mexican partner, to introduce him to her Nantes parents.
Tickets have been booked since last summer, but there is a problem.
"
The French borders being closed to foreigners, nothing is planned in the event that the spouse is neither married nor in a civil partnership
", she explains, adding that many couples are faced with the same problem.
"
We tried to glean information from the Consulate, but everything is very confused
."
In fact, most consulates, closed or beset by the flood of appeals, are criticized for their lack of responsiveness in providing the necessary information.
For its part, the France Diplomatie site of the Quai d'Orsay, supposed to serve as a reference for travelers, is not rigorously updated.
To compensate for this lack, “
expats
” are organizing themselves on social networks, where many private groups have been formed since the start of the pandemic.
“
Hello, where can you take a PCR test in Tunis?
Thanks for your help !
", We can read on the Facebook group" French nationals blocked in Tunisia ", among hundreds of other messages.
"
I registered on
the WhatsApp group 'Franco-Mexican mixed couples', we are nearly 300 above,
" says Myriam.
"
People share their solutions, such as going through London, or favoring this or that airline,
" she explains.
Read also: Covid-19: Emmanuel Macron calls on the French to avoid a third wave
Going home to be confined, a bleak prospect
Faced with all these uncertainties, some prefer not to take the risk and postpone the holidays. Marius and Anna, expatriates for many years in Santiago, Chile, made this choice. “
In any case, cinemas, shops and ski resorts are closed
”, they regret. "
If it is to be stuck at home and risk infecting our grandparents, it is of little interest
", they explain while on November 26, Prime Minister Jean Castex still insisted on the "
imperative
" to "
limit
" the number of guests at Christmas. “
For once, we will celebrate Christmas in the warmth, it's not the end of the world
”. In countries in crisis where fresh air is needed, others still choose the sub-region, such as Julia, from the NGO Acted in Mali. “I am
thinking of Côte d'Ivoire or Benin. It seems to me a good compromise to avoid bringing the virus back from Europe
”. Decisions that will be taken, for the most part, at the last minute.
