France Announces Negative Covid-19 Test Requirement for EU Travelers

Photo source: @Paris Aéroport

Passengers arriving from EU destinations to France, as of midnight on Sunday, January 24, will be required to present a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours prior to departure.

The French government has clarified that the new rule applies to those arriving from other EU countries by plane or ferry.

The measure does not apply for “essential trips”, people who cross the border daily to work in France, as well as for those arriving by train or car.

The Elysée Palace announced the measure late on Thursday, after a videoconference of EU leaders, who discussed measures to control the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is not a question of playing politics with borders – it’s a health measure,” French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune told Europe 1 radio.

France has already imposed stricter measures for travelers from countries outside of EU borders, including the UK, who have to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and quarantine for seven days.

France, in the last 24 hours announced 26,565 new coronavirus infenctions and 310 deaths.