Traveling to France from the U.S. during the Pandemic

I flew from the U.S. to France on June 27 with no issues. France has been pretty much off limits to all Americans since March 2020 due to the pandemic, but Americans can finally travel across the Atlantic once more. France introduced the traffic light travel classification (green, red, and orange), which determines the rules for entry into the country for vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers, on June 9th. See below.

Life in France during the Pandemic. You can go to the store, and there are no limitations on travel inside France, but everyone wears a mask here. Outdoor markets are open. Restaurants are open, but I am not sure that I would make a habit of dining inside. I am also sure that the gendarmes will get you if you flaunt the mask rule. Offices are pretty careful about who they let in and have strict protocols. I am not sure about public transportation, but I am staying off of trains and the metro. Here is how the traffic light classification works. 

The Green List. Green means go. All travelers can come for any reason, including tourism and family visits. The countries on the green list are all EU and Schengen zone countries as well as countries where the virus is not circulating widely – Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Lebanon, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Hong Kong, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Taiwan, Vanatau, the USA and Canada. If you are vaccinated, you do not need a test. I showed my vaccine card at passport control and had no issues. If you are not vaccinated, you need a negative PCR or antigen test taken at least 72 and 48 hours, respectively, prior to travel. Advice—man up and get the vaccine!

 The Red List. Red means stop. You are not going to get into France without a very good reason—like you are a medical professional who has expertise treating Covid patients. The red list consists of countries where the virus is still circulating widely and there is “a worrying presence of Covid variants”. These countries are: South Africa, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkey, Uruguay, Russia, Namibia and the Seychelles.

The Orange List.  This is basically everywhere else. Countries are ranked orange if the virus is circulating but in a controlled way and there is no widespread circulation of variants. You still need a really good reason to travel, but you might not have to quarantine if you are vaccinated. In other words, if you are not coming from a country on the green list, you are not going to be able to come to France. 

The countries on the red and green lists have changed twice, so check the latest list before you make your reservations. And check the travel requirements in your own country. Australia is on the green list, but the Australian government has basically closed their borders in both directions. No one is getting in or out.