Brits Face Virus Tests to Ski France Due to Non-EU Status

In the fast-changing world of pandemic travel requirements, the latest from France is that Brits arriving from this weekend will now need to take a coronavirus test, even if fully vaccinated.

The United Kingdom is still on the French Amber list. Fully vaccinated people can enter France without essential reason to travel but from December 4, a negative test not older than 48 hours become mandatory for all travellers (from 12 years old) coming from countries on the French Amber list that are outside the EU.

It’s not yet clear if this can be a Lateral Flow test or needs to be a more expensive PCR test, however for arrivals this weekend French resort Val d’Isere recommends PCR tests to be on the safe side as they need to be taken now. Children aged 11 years old or younger do not need to present a negative test result to travel.

“The rules have changed so fast that things get announced and then more detailed over the following days and week. The good news is that skiers can still use Geneva to ski outside Switzerland and our teenagers can now get 2 jabs to comply with rules in the rest of the world, which has been double vaxing ages 12+ since the summer.  Pre or post travel testing may come and go depending on the current level of hysteria over Omicron or whatever comes next, but it’s not putting customers off going. We’re all excited to finally get back into the mountains!” said Richard Sinclair, boss to specialist ski holiday travel agency SNO.

Travellers must also complete a ‘sworn statement’ form where they swear they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This document can be found on the French government’s website.

A proof of vaccination status must be presented if needed.

In addition, from this Saturday 4^th December everyone aged 12 and over needs to demonstrate their COVID-19 status through the French government’s “pass sanitaire” (health pass) in order to use the ski lifts.  For adults the British vaccine passport is accepted as equivalent.

The pass was already needed to access services and venues such as restaurants, bars, leisure complexes, cinemas and even things like hospitals.

Despite the rule changes the French ski season continues to gather pace with lots of fresh snow falling and several dozen ski areas planning to be open in the country this weekend.

Images are from Les Gets last weekend.