Decision on travel from France to the US due ‘in coming weeks’

The US is expected to take a decision ‘in the coming weeks’ as to whether to allow visitors from France again, says a French minister.

Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne told FranceInfo today there is a lack of reciprocity at present, since the US maintains strict restrictions on entry from France – and the rest of the Schengen area – whereas France has placed the US on its travel green list.

However he said American diplomatic sources have spoken of a decision in the coming weeks, adding: “I hope the ‘next weeks’ can be counted on one hand and not both of them.”

He said: “There is a lack of symmetry because we are saying ‘welcome back’ to the Americans, but sadly there is as yet no reciprocity.

“Rationally, we are today in France around Covid incidence rates of 20 [cases per 100,000 of the population per week], so the situation is really much improved and in my opinion it can allow travel to the US to start up again.”

Currently France does not place any restriction on its residents wanting to visit the US, whereas the US only allows entry to visitors from France on a case by case basis, notably if their visit is deemed to be in the US’s national interest.

France allows Americans to visit without an urgent reason or quarantine and with either a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full vaccination.

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Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France