Your France Covid travel queries: NHS app, infection proof, children

France is set to 'reopen' for international travel from tomorrow (June 9) using a green-amber-red travel system to categorise countries and set the travel rules related to them.

The UK and the US have been classified as amber, meaning that fully vaccinated people there can travel to France for any reason including leisure if they can show on boarding their transport the results of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours if it is PCR and 48 hours if it is a rapid antigen test. They are also not required to self-isolate after coming to France.

Non-fully vaccinated people can only come if they have a compelling reason and are still asked to undertake a week of voluntary self-isolation. They have the same test requirements on boarding and may be asked to take an antigen test on arrival.

Countries such as Australia, New Zealand and all the EU member states are green, meaning fully vaccinated people can come without the need of a Covid-19 test. Non fully vaccinated people can come without an essential reason being required but will need a negative Covid-19 test to board, though they will not be asked to self-isolate.

Proof of vaccination is acceptable for any of the four vaccines accepted by the European Medicines Agency: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Read our article here to find out more about the system and see our checklist here that explains what people need to enter and exit France from tomorrow.

We have received several questions on this, and answer four below.

Can I use England’s NHS app to prove my Covid-19 vaccination in order to enter France?

The Consulate General of France in London states that you can prove your vaccination status to travel to France by using the mobile application NHS App.

This application is different from the track and trace NHS Covid-19 application.

It should be noted that in order to use NHS App you must be over 13 and registered at a GP surgery in England.

If you were vaccinated against Covid-19 in England and you do not wish to use the application, you can get your vaccination certificate directly from the NHS website at this link. You need to register so as to access your status online. You can then download and print a PDF document.

If you do not wish to or cannot use the website or the app, you can phone 119 and ask for a letter confirming your vaccination status, which will be sent to you by post.

It is possible, via this page, to access a document in different languages, that can help officials in destination countries (including France) understand a British vaccination certificate if they ask for proof at the border (as they are entitled to do). For the French version, click on Français at the top right, click on the French title of the document provided and then click 'Print this page'.

I do not have the NHS App because I live in Scotland. How do I prove my vaccination status to travel to France?

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all using different systems to England.

Scotland:

People in Scotland can get certificates with their Covid-19 vaccination status through the NHS inform website here.

Otherwise, you can phone 0808 196 8565 to request a certificate.

There has been no official confirmation as yet if this certificate will be accepted by travel authorities or border agents as proof of vaccination status.

The Scottish government websites states:

“As Scotland’s vaccination programme progresses, vaccination status will be replaced by digital Covid Status Certificates, which will include vaccination and testing data to be used for outbound international travel.”

Scotland’s chief medical officer is advising people against foreign travel.

Wales:

People who have been vaccinated in Wales can call 0300 303 5667 to request a vaccination certificate for essential international travel.

It can take up to 10 working days for a certificate to arrive.

Again, there has been no official confirmation as yet that this certificate will be accepted by border agents or travel authorities as proof of vaccination status.

The Welsh government’s website states:

“We are working on a digital option for Welsh citizens to show their vaccination status. This will be available shortly.”

Northern Ireland:

People in Northern Ireland receive a card after being vaccinated.

There are no details as to if this will be accepted by border agents or travel authorities as proof of vaccination status.

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland’s Department of Health told the BBC that work is ongoing to develop “administrations in regards to vaccine and testing certification, in order to support international travel when restrictions are eased”.

Does France recognise those who have previously had Covid-19 and one subsequent vaccine dose administered at least two weeks before travel as ‘fully vaccinated’?

Yes. Under France’s travel rules, which come into force on June 9, people are considered to be fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines
• Four weeks after receiving the first (and only) dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
• Two weeks after the first dose of a vaccination for anyone who has already had Covid-19

It remains to be clarified how travellers will prove that they have already had Covid-19 as the French government has not yet announced details.

I've been fully vaccinated but my 15-year-old daughter has not. From June 9, can the children of those who are fully vaccinated enter France without being vaccinated?

Yes. France’s updated travel rules state that the rules for minors are the same as those that apply to adults who have been vaccinated, whether the minor has been vaccinated or not.

So, if you are fully vaccinated, your 15-year-old daughter will also be considered as fully vaccinated.

Send your France travel question to news@connexionfrance.com

Read more:

Covid: US and UK on France's amber travel list from June 9

Checklist: New traffic-light Covid rules for travel to or from France

How do Americans prove Covid vaccination status to enter France?

4 ways to get your French Covid vaccine certificate