Coronavirus: 130,000 French people stranded abroad want to return

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France must organize the return of some 130,000 nationals stranded abroad by the Covid-19 pandemic. This was estimated this Friday, March 20, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

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" The most difficult question is those who are traveling abroad, traveling, generally for holidays and who are now counted, of the order of 130,000 worldwide ", said Jean-Yves Le Drian on France Info. “ The basic principle is that the 130,000 French, we want them to return to the national territory. They want it and they are right to want it , ”he added.

Senegal, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, many countries have suspended their air links with France, one of the countries most affected in Europe by the coronavirus after Italy and Spain. The trap then closed on all foreign nationals present on their territory.

Jean-Yves Le Drian said he wanted to bring the French " as soon as possible ", " in the coming days ", via " special commercial flights " that the airlines are in the process of setting up in agreement with the countries concerned. Until then, he reiterated his call for " composure " and " patience ".

The government will exercise " special vigilance so that ticket prices are regulated, blocked, so that there is no speculation on the subject, " also stressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A more or less simple repatriation depending on the country

This system concerns French people on vacation abroad or on business trips. The three million French people usually living abroad are invited to stay " at home " except " health emergency ", noted Jean-Yves Le Drian.

He also invited all French people abroad who wish to return to register on the Ariane system, via the Quai d'Orsay site, so that they can be reached. " We have implemented an airport by airport, country by country, consulate by consulate mapping to identify the number of French people asking to return ."

Regarding Morocco , one of the most popular tourist destinations for the French, 17,000 of the 20,000 nationals wishing to return have already been repatriated in the past week. The Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke, without further details, of " more specific, more difficult cases ", citing the Philippines, the Canaries, Madeira and the Dominican Republic, ensuring that " specific decisions " will be taken for these countries.

Difficulties returning from Cambodia

Pascal Le Gludic was on vacation in Cambodia with his wife, when the announcement of the confinement was made in France. Since then, he has been trying to get in.

“ It is extremely difficult to reach the companies, either those with which we bought tickets or those with which we seek to buy them. We had a return ticket which was scheduled for March 29. We tried to contact the agency that sold it to us and the airline that operated it, but we couldn't reach them. "

Faced with the closing of borders and the cancellation of flights, the embassy advises to return, explains this French tourist. He therefore decided not to wait until March 29 and to return as soon as possible. “ Here again, we encounter problems. Yesterday we bought a ticket from a travel agency, but the ticket was not validated, so we didn't know if we were going to be charged or not. The difficulty lies mainly with the companies. "

As for the French consular services on site, Pascal Le Gludic ensures to keep in touch with them. “ With regard to repatriation, the French consular services cannot say what they are going to do and advise us rather to buy the tickets by ourselves . "

This French tourist managed to find a flight for March 24, but the problems are not necessarily resolved. " Once you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport you will have to reach Brittany and you don't know how it will be possible ".

Same case in India

Many French people are therefore stuck abroad, unable to return home, either because the borders are closed, or because they are going to be closed and this disrupts air traffic. Axelle Roucou, a yoga teacher, is stranded in India .

“ I come back from Rajasthan and I am currently in New Delhi. I was frightened today, when the hotel came to give me a sheet asking me to stay fourteen days in their quarantined establishment. When I was called for a temperature check at a clinic and I had 37.8 ° C at 9 am I was quite stressed and anxious. I was then taken to the hospital to a room for coronavirus examinations. They took my temperature back to me and then gave me a sheet that allowed me to leave the hotel to go to New Delhi with proof of my flights which were supposed to work. "

Despite flight cancellations, Axelle Roucou has managed to secure a place in a flight to France, which must depart overnight from Saturday to Sunday. " I cross my fingers obviously. "

(With AFP)

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