Trophywife007

Thanks for clarifying. I thought you had used one of the tests with the "eMed Telehealth Services" but apparently not. I assumed the tests with the telehealth services would qualify for both France and reentry into U.S.

eurohop

I thought that was probably the case. Thanks for the information.

eurohop

I just spoke to Air France and self tests, even if monitored, are not accepted by the airline for entry to France from the US. It can be a rapid antigen test.

Trophywife007

I wonder if all airlines interpret the directives that way. On this website https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actual...l-travel#from4 I found the information below and it does not mention anything about monitored self-tests.

2.2. Health control measures

If already vaccinated, you shall provide evidence of your vaccination status, a sworn statement certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, as well as results of a virological (PCR) or antigen screening test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure that did not detect any COVID-19 contamination, in order to enter Metropolitan France.

eurohop

Just to be safe, I won’t rely on a self test since the Air France representative told me it’s not acceptable. Of course, the AF Rep could be misinterpreting things. And things could change by the time we fly out in late March.

Trophywife007

Yes, if things don't change, you're stuck with doing it the way the representative states whether or not they are misinterpreting the directive since ultimately they decide whether or not you get on the plane. I'm not flying AF so I'll check with my airline when the time gets closer.

Sarastro

In France, Antigen tests are done at a pharmacy or a medical lab. They are free to those in the French healthcare system, 25€ to those who are not. I would not push the envelope by presenting home test results, something which is not done is France, there is just no need.

balthy

Because it’s not done IN France does not mean those entering France from countries where self test kits are available (with or without supervision) and the necessary travel certificates are provided with personal details, will not be accepted.

France does not accept different tests for those originating in the U.K. and travelling to France vs those originating in the US and travelling to France. And neither are there different tests needed for those arriving by air vs ferry vs train vs car vs bus.

French border police at Dover are very thorough with checking documentation which when I travelled 2 weeks ago (hence might be out of date today), was passport, COVID vaccination proof in the form of the TousAntiCovid app where my vaccination & booster info were uploaded to and a negative antigen test certificate from a self test kit. In any case nothing on the certificate states it was a self test. So you could order a Randox self test kit or rock up to a Randox facility and then they get you to take your own sample anyway and the certificate will be the same.

The info on the London French Consulate website states:

“Self-administered tests whose results are not certified by an approved private test provider are not authorized for travel.”

My self test did have results certified & provided by a private test provider.

StuDudley

At the pharmacy we went to in France for the test, it was free for anyone (including me) who had proof of vaccination. Otherwise one has to pay. I took a "test run" several days before I needed a test for departure home. I accidentally left my Passe Sanitaire in our apt & I had to pay for the test. Next test was free when I showed them my Passe. I'm not in the French healthcare system. I'm on USA Medicare.

Stu Dudley

Sarastro

Stu - apparently you were in France before the 25€ charge for Antigen tests, which changed last year.

Sarastro

Antigen tests to enter France are a French requirement, not a UK requirement. It is possible French Immigration is not aware that you are presenting results from a self test kit and wrongly assume the results came from a medical lab, just as it would be in France.

Do you have a reference confirming French government acceptance of self administered Covid tests? I am sure this would be useful information.

StuDudley

Both my wife & I took the test on December 14 last year. There was a sign in the pharmacy saying that the test was free if we had proof of vaccination.

Stu Dudley

Sarastro

Stu - I would go back to that same pharmacy if you want another free Antigen test. Otherwise, they are 25€.

Trophywife007

People on FlyerTalk have used the monitored self-tests to enter France and the U.S. I asked there specifically and a very frequent flyer said they were ok. FWIW. I'll keep a watch on it re. changes/clarification in the months ahead, of course.

Sarastro

Anything FDA approved should be perfectly OK to enter the US, but to enter France, FDA approval means little to nothing. The fact that someone has successfully used a home test to enter France is interesting anecdotal evidence, but that does not mean that home tests are sanctioned or approved by the French government.

balthy

I know it’s a French requirement to have the antigen test to enter France, that’s why I had the test, to enter France. And I did with my self test antigen test which was certified by a private provider.

Do you have a reference confirming French government policy of refusing entry for those having a self test by a private provider with certificate? That would be useful.
Why would the French Consulate in London make specific mention of which self tests are accepted (private ones) vs those that are not (free NHS ones for those based in the U.K.) if none are accepted? Since when has French administration been so flaky that they would have let me into the country with a wrong COVID test. My certificate was from a certified provider of tests and antigen tests are not generally performed at a medical lab.

balthy

There are further examples on TA of people using self tests to enter France and some of those are not monitored but the test results are reported by photo.

eurohop

Stay tuned for some good news:

The GuardianFrance also announced it would soon drop its requirement of a negative Covid test for vaccinated travellers from outside the EU, as daily infection numbers continue to fall.

“We again required tests in December over the Omicron variant. In the coming days we will announce that tests are no longer needed for vaccinated people,” Europe minister Clément Beaune told France 2 television on Tuesday.

Currently, anyone visiting France from outside the EU, including the UK, has to show a negative test result from the previous 48 hours, regardless of vaccination status.

“This week there will probably be a new European protocol for vaccinated people arriving from outside the EU, with eased measures,” Beaune added.

Trophywife007

Cool

eurohop

This is great news:

“Proof of vaccination will be sufficient to come to France no matter which country you are coming from, just as it was before the spread of the Omicron variant," the Prime Minister's office said in a statement. And masks will no longer be required indoors.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/2022021...earing-indoors