Vacances et Covid : des tests de dépistage pour les touristes revenant de certains pays européens

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Clément Beaune said this July 15, 2021, that French tourists returning from Spain or Portugal would not be subject to forced isolation, but they must present a screening test less than 24 hours old. He then added other countries to this list of moderate risk destinations.

France has ranked 54 countries as safe destinations for travel this summer: among them,Spain and Portugal. This situation could change in the coming days. Both countries are currently experiencing a sharp increase in Covid-19 infections.

This Thursday, July 8, on the set of the "4 Truths" on France 2, the Secretary of State for European Affairs recommended that the French be cautious, especially in choosing their vacation destinations this summer. " Those who have not yet booked their vacations, avoid, let's avoid Portugal, Spain, in your destinations [...]. It is better to stay in France, or go to other countries ," he said.

Clément Beaune reminds us that " in general, the pandemic is not over " and that the deconfinements put in place in France and elsewhere do not mean that barrier measures should no longer be respected, on the contrary.

" We are particularly monitoring the situation in countries where the outbreak is very rapid: Portugal, Spain, and Catalonia in particular, where many French people go to party or go on vacation. Attention: very great caution ," insisted the Secretary of State. Clément Beaune also revealed that these two countries, and even Greece, are subject to increased surveillance, and thatadditional " reinforced measures " could be taken with respect to these countries in the coming days if the health situation does not improve.

The Secretary of State wants to reassure holidaymakers by reminding them that there is no ban on travel in Europe at present, but that the health situation - and in particular the rapid spread of variants, including the Delta variant - is still a cause for concern. " We have a health pass, we have protection tools and we must use them ," he concluded.

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In fact, the French can still go to Spain or Portugal for their vacations: they will not be subjected to a period ofisolation on their return to France, assured Clement Beaune this Thursday, July 15 on France Info.

The Secretary of State announced, however, that a screening test less than 24 hours old would be required at the border for tourists returning to France after their vacations. In addition to Spain and Portugal, Clément Beaune has identified a few other countries that will have to follow the same rules: people coming from or returning to France from Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom will have to undergo a screening test no more than 24 hours before their arrival in France.

This measure concerns non-vaccinated people and comes into effect this Sunday, July 18 at midnight, said Clément Beaune.