The outbreak of variants, Delta and now Omicron, across the world forced the French authorities to regularly update their travel recommendations to foreign countries and in particular its list of red countries.
Home to the spread of the Omicron variant, Southern Africa - from South Africa to Zimbabwe - is now tinged with scarlet.
The unvaccinated French can no longer go there for tourism, unless they can justify a compelling reason.
They must also respect a mandatory ten-day quarantine upon their return to France.
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In effect since June 9, the classification of countries around the world depends on the level of circulation of the virus and the presence of variants. It ranges from
green
, the most favorable level, to
red
, the most unfavorable - most of the countries are classified in
orange
. But what does this really change? Each color corresponds to a level of restrictions on departure and return, which varies according to whether one is vaccinated or not. This reading grid has evolved for vaccinated travelers, who can now go to all countries, whatever their color, without justifying a compelling reason. This card therefore no longer has any impact on them. The list of countries which appear there continues to evolve according to the health situation on the spot.
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A priori, nothing very complicated, therefore.
Except that, and this is where the shoe pinch, each state remains sovereign and free to impose additional measures on travelers, such as tests, quarantines, or even an outright ban on access.
Classified as "green" by the government and Europe, Japan does not accept, for example, the arrival of foreign tourists, including the French.
Ditto for Australia.
Conversely, South Africa, classified red, can in theory receive French travelers.
Except that the French borders are now closed from this country.
In summary, as the government website explains:
To or from a green country
The situation there:
no active circulation of the virus, no worrying variants identified.
Countries concerned on October 22:
the countries of the European area (27 Member States + Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican), to which are added Australia, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Taiwan , the Union of the Comoros, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
Can we travel to these countries? Yes
, whether you are vaccinated or not.
But always on condition that the country in question authorizes access to French travelers and according to the modalities it will have defined (see our world map country by country).
Vaccinated or not vaccinated, the formalities to and from a green country:
Rules to or from a green country.
Government Information Service
To or from an orange country
The situation on site:
active circulation of the virus in controlled proportions, without the dissemination of worrying variants.
Countries concerned as of October 22:
all countries not included in the lists of "green" and "red" countries, for example, in Europe, the United Kingdom and the Balkan countries such as Bosnia or Albania.
Can we travel to these countries? Yes, but
only if you are vaccinated and the country accepts French tourists.
The unvaccinated must, them, justify an overriding reason, family or professional.
Tourism is not one of them.
Vaccinated or unvaccinated, the formalities to and from an orange country:
Rules to or from an orange country.
Government Information Service
To or from a red country
The situation there:
active circulation of the virus and the presence of worrying variants.
Countries concerned as of October 22:
Afghanistan, South Africa, Belarus, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eswatini, Georgia, Lesotho, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Suriname, Turkey, Ukraine and the Zimbabwe.
Can we travel there? Yes, but
only if you are vaccinated and the country accepts French tourists.
The non-vaccinated, them, can travel there only for a compelling reason, in no case for tourist reasons.
In both cases, traveling to a red country remains "not recommended" by the authorities.
Rules to or from a red country.
Government Information Service
Originally published on July 13, 2021, this article is subject to regular updates based on current events.
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