Travelers boarding in China bound for France will have to present a negative Covid-19 screening test at the start of their flight, the French government announced on Friday December 30.

Faced with the explosion of cases of Covid-19 infections in China, France joins Italy and Spain among the European countries imposing restrictions, while the EU has failed to speak of a only voice on this subject.

All travelers from China to France - by a direct flight or with a stopover - will have to bring proof of a negative test (PCR or antigen) of less than 48 hours on departure, a government source said during a press conference.

>> Faced with the outbreak of Covid-19 in China, the fear of repercussions in Europe

Random tests on arrival

Other tests will be carried out on arrival on a random basis, the positive samples being the subject of sequencing in order to detect possible new variants of the virus.

Travelers "will have pledged" on departure "to self-isolate" if they test positive on arrival, the government source said.

In addition, wearing a mask will be compulsory on board flights departing from China to France.

A decree by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne laying down these restrictive measures will be published over the weekend "and notified to the European Commission and to EU member states", said a government statement.

With AFP

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