France COVID-19 Lockdown
Beginning March 19, 2021, at midnight and lasting for the next four weeks, France has implemented new lockdown measures in the fight to lower COVID-19 cases across the country.
This implementation of lockdown measures affects the following 16 regions, including the Paris area: Aisne, Alpes-Maritimes, Essonne, Eure, Hauts-de-Seine, Nord, Oise, Paris, Pas-de-Calais, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-Maritime, Somme, Val-d-Marne, Val-d’Oise and Yvelines.
Travel and Outings
Non-essential businesses have been ordered to close and movement within the affected regions will be restricted. Residents are allowed to be outside for a limited period of time, within a radius of 10 km (6 miles) around their home. You must be able to present a certificate at any time and you must wear a mask in all public venues.
If you do not respect these rules, you may be liable for a €135 fine. Inter-regional travel is prohibited, except for professional reasons. There may also be restrictions around certain gatherings in public spaces. During your stay in France, download and activate the TousAntiCovid application (in English and French) for the most updated information regarding restrictions.
Curfew
The curfew is maintained under the same rules, but is pushed back to 7 p.m. for the entire territory, starting Saturday March 20, 2021.
Employment
Teleworking is the standard for all companies and administrations that can apply it, by applying the rule of four-out-of-five days in teleworking.
Overseas Territories
You may not travel to and from countries outside the European space (European Union Member States, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland), with the exception of having an imperative reason. You must complete a travel certificate attesting to this imperative reason for entering the country and present a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to travel. For Non-EU citizens, a quarantine of seven days is mandatory.
Travelers from the United Kingdom—regardless of their nationality—are no longer required to prove a compelling reason to enter French territory. On the other hand, travelers over 11-years old remain subject to presentation of a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to travel. A certificate of honor of a health nature, including in particular a commitment to self-isolate for seven days and to perform a second PCR test after this isolation, must also be presented during the checks.
Vaccinated people remain subject to the same regulations (PCR test and certificate of honor).
Schools and Universities
Preschools, elementary schools and colleges continue to adhere to the terms already in place. Universities continue to operate.
Sports and outdoor activities remain allowed during school time and during extra-curricular time.
Shops
Only businesses selling basic goods and services can remain open. Some real estate agencies will continue to operate, but this will need to be checked on case-by-case basis regarding the restrictions.
Health Advice
- Wash your hands very often or use hand-sanitizing gel
- Use single-use tissues and then throw them away
- Cough and sneeze into your arm or into a tissue
- Do not shake hands or greet people with kisses on the cheek
- Avoid touching your face
- Respect social distancing; your should remain further than a metre from others
- Wear a mask wherever it is obligatory to do so, as well as in situations where social distancing cannot be respected
- Limit social contacts as much as possible (to a maximum of six people)
- Air rooms for ten minutes, three times a day
Hotlines
A toll-free hotline service (in French only) can answer your questions about the COVID-19. This is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week service.
0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).
More up-to-date information on the implications of COVID-19 in France can be found online at this government website.
Summary
Altair Global’s team is closely monitoring the impacts of COVID-19 on relocation and travel, and is available to answer any questions you may have, so please reach out to your Client Services representative.
For more information on the Coronavirus and its impact on mobility across the globe, please visit our COVID-19 Resources page.