Tighter checks at travel hubs in areas of France under lockdown

There are to be tighter controls introduced at airports, train stations and at motorway tolls in the 19 departments subject to stricter measures, the French Interior Minister announced yesterday (March 26).

This will mean more checks on people leaving these departments, which is forbidden under new rules unless a valid reason can be shown, such as for work, health or family reasons.

The stricter Covid-related measures in the 19 departments are set to remain in place until at least April 20 and are in force seven days a week.

Gérald Darmanin wrote on Twitter, “at the request of President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Jean Castex, over 90,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilised this weekend to reinforce measures related to the respect of sanitary rules.

“There will be increased attention at train stations, motorway tolls and airports,” he said.

If you live in a department that is under stricter Covid-related measures, you can only leave if you have an essential reason and fill out an exemption certificate (attestation de déplacement).

The reasons for leaving are:

• Travelling for work, education, training, etc
• Travelling for essential health reasons
• Travelling for a compelling family reason, such as going to assist someone in need
• Disability, travel related to people with disabilities and their carers
• Judicial or administrative summons
• Moving house
• Legal long-distance travel, going to airports or train stations. You may be asked to show your ticket as proof if you are stopped by police

You can find the attestations in French or in English on the government website here.

You can also leave the department to go shopping if the shop is within 30km of your home. You will need to fill out an attestation for this.

The 19 departments are: Aisne, Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Paris, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise, Yvelines, Eure, Seine-Maritime, Alpes-Maritimes, Rhône, Aube, Nièvre.

Read more:

Macron warns of new measures; medics say lockdown needed

Stricter Covid rules for three more French departments

Daily updates on the situation in France