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France announced on Friday several health measures for travelers from China. Among them, the need to present a negative test on departure from the country but also to wear a mask on board flights.
Travelers boarding in China bound for France will have to present a negative Covid-19 screening test at the departure of their flight from 1is January, the French government announced on Friday 30 December.
Faced with the explosion of cases of Covid-19 infections in China, France joins the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain among the European countries imposing restrictions, while the EU has failed to speak with one 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.
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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 restriction measures will be published over the weekend “and notified to the European Commission and to the Member States of the EU”, indicates a press release from the government.
With AFP