Covid: Travellers recall ‘stressful’ process of pre-travel tests

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Nightclubs across France will be shuttered for one month from this weekend in an attempt to combat rising Covid cases. The move is expected to have a heavy impact on ski holidays as the apres-ski scene will be disrupted.

Prime Minister Jean Castex said: “We have all had a tendency to lower our guard in recent weeks.”

However, he did say that it was “no longer the time for the lockdowns” due to France’s high vaccination rate.

Fully vaccinated British tourists need to show proof of a negative Covid test to enter France in new rules introduced in December.

Tests must be taken no more than 48 hours before travel and can be a PCR or antigen test according to the UK Government.

British tourists will also need to wear a facemask in all enclosed public areas in France and at large outdoor gatherings.

Masks are also compulsory on public transport in France for everyone over the age of 11.

The health pass is in operation in France which requires tourists and residents to show proof of vaccination to enter venues.

Unvaccinated people can access a health passport if they have a recent negative test result or have recently recovered.

All tourists over the age of 12 will need to use the Covid passport which could make holidays very expensive for British families.

Tests must be taken every 24 hours to qualify for the health pass and are not free for international travellers in France.

In a fresh blow for France’s tourism industry, the USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised American citizens against travelling to France.

The CDC said this was due to high Covid levels in France and also added Jordan and Portugal to the list.

Prime Minister Castex said a fifth wave of the pandemic was underway in France this winter.

However, he said the situation was a lot better than in previous outbreaks as 90 percent of French citizens are now vaccinated.

On Monday, France had identified 25 positive cases of the new Omicron variant which is heavily mutated.

Omicron has also been identified in other European countries including the UK, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany.

British travellers returning from France will need to take a pre-departure test before arriving in the UK.

They will need to take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival in the UK and need to self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

Tests need to be booked with a Government approved provider which can be found on the UK Government website.

British tourists travelling to France are advised to check the UK Government website for the latest restrictions.

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