TPG readers still have a lot of questions about traveling to France at the moment; We have answers
Editor's Note
Since France most recently updated its entry protocols for incoming travelers, including Americans, on Feb. 12, we took last week off from answering more France-related questions and instead focused on the love of dogs, which you can read about here.
But when the majority of questions in my inbox are about one thing and one thing only, your wish is my command — yet another weekly column devoted to navigating travel to France at the moment. Here are some of your questions, and our answers:
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France vaccine passports for transit
Is the French vaccine pass necessary for passengers transiting through French airports?
No, a pass is not required for passengers simply passing through any French airport, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris-Orly Airport (ORY).
Leaving airport
Logistically, if a vaccine pass is necessary to access public spaces, how does one get from the airport to the pharmacy to obtain a pass?
The pass is not required for short-distance public transit within the Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris. This means you can take the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP bus, RER, Metro, etc.) from the airport into town or you could take a taxi as well.
However, for long-distance public transit, including planes, trains and buses, a vaccine pass is required.
Other vaccines
How can travelers vaccinated with a vaccine not currently recognized by French authorities get a pass?
"If you received two doses of Sinopharm, Covaxin or Sinovac, then you would need to receive one dose of an mRNA vaccine to be eligible for the vaccine pass," according to a spokesperson for Atout France, the country's tourism organization. "If you only had one dose of these vaccines, you would need two doses of the mRNA vaccine with 21 to 49 days between the doses in order to receive the vaccine pass."
Currently, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are acceptable for entry into France.
Pass Sanitaire
For those who previously applied for the Pass Sanitaire and have a current QR Code within the TousAntiCovid app showing proof of booster, does this suffice for the vaccine pass or do they need to start from scratch upon arrival?
This should suffice as long as it shows proof of booster. Previous Pass Sanitaires without proof of booster were automatically canceled when the vaccine pass took effect last month, in which case, these visitors would need to start from scratch upon arrival.
What about boosters?
Currently, France only considers travelers fully vaccinated if they were boosted within 9 months of receipt of their final vaccine dose. How does this affect getting a vaccine pass?
It's OK if it's been nine months between your second dose and booster shot. As long as you've been boosted, you are eligible for a vaccine pass.
For example, suppose someone had their second dose in early March and then got their booster in early December. This person would be able to receive a vaccine pass.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
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