The French Secretary of State for European Affairs announced Thursday that a test of less than 24 hours would be necessary to cross the French border for travelers coming from Spain and Portugal.
Until now, a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of less than 48 hours was required.
"A test of less than 24 hours" will be required at the French borders to travelers not vaccinated against Covid-19 coming from Spain and Portugal, in the grip of a new epidemic wave, declared Thursday the French Secretary of State for European affairs. "For those who are not vaccinated, when they return from Spain and Portugal, because the situation in these countries is difficult, a test of less than 24 hours is to be done", declared Clément Beaune, specifying that " the measure is expected to come into effect this weekend ". On the other hand, France will not require compulsory isolation for entrants from European countries, he added.
Until now, it took a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of 48 hours to enter France from Spain and Portugal.
"Avoid Spain and Portugal"
These two major summer tourist destinations have been facing an upsurge in the coronavirus epidemic for the past few weeks due to the Delta variant.
On July 8, Clément Beaune had advised the French to "avoid Spain and Portugal" because of the very sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in these two countries.
His message was then tempered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who simply called on the French to be vaccinated before crossing the Pyrenees.
But his remarks have sparked both concern and disapproval in Spain, where tourism contributes 13% to GDP. Spanish tourism professionals worried on Wednesday about a "slowdown" on reservations after warnings from France and Germany, which classified the Iberian Peninsula "risk zone".