The French authorities have announced that citizens of the country, as well as foreigners, are now subject to tightened Coronavirus rules. The authorities revealed that since January 15, the rules for access to all kinds of services, including restaurants, museums, theatres, sports activities, and accommodation facilities, among others, will be tightened, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The tightened rules follow the announcement on the validity of vaccination certificates. The French authorities disclosed that everyone over the age of 18 would have to receive a booster shot in order for their vaccination certificate to remain valid. The requirement to receive the booster dose will apply to all persons who have completed their vaccination more than seven months ago.

Thus, in line with the new rules, it means that as soon as the decision enters into force, all those who have received their last vaccine dose over seven months ago but haven’t received a booster dose yet will be considered as unvaccinated.

Taking into account that access to the majority of places and activities is only permitted to those who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease, those who don’t receive their additional vaccine dose will be denied entry to most places, including the ones mentioned above. It has been explained that children between the age of 12 and 18 are exempt from the requirement to receive a booster dose, meaning that their two-dose vaccine will remain valid. In contrast, children under 12 are not required to receive any vaccine dose.

“To enter French territory, The COVID certificate is mandatory for everyone over the age of 12 years and two months,” the statement of the French government reads. Apart from the vaccination requirement, travellers over the age of 12 are also required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test, taken within 48 or 24 hours, respectively. Nonetheless, it has been explained that the pre-entry testing requirement does not apply to travellers who reach France from a European Union Member State or a Schengen Area country.

Previously, France eased its entry rules for travellers from the UK. In line with the new rules that started being effective on January 14, all UK travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease can enter France without having to provide a compelling reason for their trip. However, everyone is still required to meet the national rules while in France, including the presentation of vaccination certificates when attending different places and activities.

(Source: SchengenVisaInfo)