February brings with it a series of Covid rule changes, from easing mask-wearing restrictions to lifting testing requirements for people traveling to the UK.
Overview of what people living in or visiting France should keep in mind in the weeks to come.
From February 1:
People over the age of 18 traveling between France and the rest of the EU will need to consider getting a booster vaccination – received no later than nine months after their first vaccinations – if they wish to maintain their ease of travel.
The rule is part of an update to the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) scheme and was announced on December 21.
Previously, there was no EU-wide policy on expiry dates for Covid vaccines. Some countries, such as Italy (six months) and France (seven months, which will become four months from February 15), have already introduced their own expiry dates which apply nationally.
Read more about this update here: Covid jab booster now needed within nine months to facilitate EU travel
From February 2:
- Masks will no longer be mandatory outdoors (they remain mandatory on public transport and in indoor public spaces). The prefectures will be responsible for setting this rule
- Remote work, if possible, three days a week, will cease to be mandatory, although it will remain recommended
- The capacity limit during sporting and cultural events will be lifted when the public is seated (but wearing a mask is compulsory during these events). Crowd limits had previously been set at 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors
From February 11:
Day two testing requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals in the UK will be waived.
This means that fully vaccinated people will no longer need to carry out a lateral flow test or PCR no later than the second day after entering the UK and will only have to complete their passenger locator form.
Testing requirements will also be relaxed slightly for unvaccinated travellers.
Read more about this update here: France-UK trip: second day tests for vaccinees will end on February 11
From February 15:
The rules for obtaining a vaccine pass in France will be updated
From this date, the deadline for receiving a Covid reminder after a second dose will be reduced from seven months to four months for people who wish to have a vaccination pass.
Booster shots are available three months after the second dose.
People who receive their first dose of vaccine before February 15 can obtain a vaccination pass immediately, if they also obtain a negative Covid test (which will remain valid for 24 hours), and commit to obtaining a second dose within a period of time. one month.
The validity period of Covid recovery certificates – which are positive test results from more than 11 days before – will also from now on be shortened to four months, compared to six currently.
The period will also be backdated.
This means that if you tested positive on January 1 and use the result as part of your vaccination pass, the pass will cease to be active on May 1.
Read more about this update here: Proof of Covid recovery valid for four months from February 15
Home Covid Tests
Also on this day, home Covid tests will no longer be sold in supermarkets in France. The government had extended the sale of these tests in supermarkets by two weeks.
Read more about it here: Covid tests will remain in French supermarkets until February 15
From February 16:
- Nightclubs will reopen. The government has yet to decide whether masks should be worn in nightclubs when they reopen. The current health situation will dictate the exact rules for this and for entering the clubs.
- Standing concerts will be allowed again
- The consumption of drinks while standing in bars or cafes will again be authorized
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