France today began implementing new border control measures to stem the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and avoid another wave of nationwide city closures.
After an initial half-hearted slowdown in vaccine administration in France, health authorities said 1 million people had been vaccinated in the country as of the 23rd.
However, with the number of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths remaining high, there are fears that France will have to implement another nationwide blockade. Once implemented, it would be the third nationwide lockdown since the outbreak began, causing further disruption to the economy, business and daily Life in France.
Starting today, entry into France from European Union (EU) member states by air or sea transport will require proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test three days in advance.
France has been imposing this requirement on non-EU entrants since mid-January.
EU travelers entering France by land, including cross-border workers, are not required to produce a negative certificate.
Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, undersecretary of the French Ministry of Transport, said that about 62,000 people arrive in France each week from other EU countries.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle) has set up a testing center in the EU line terminal to allow incoming passengers who cannot be tested in their country of origin to be tested before they clear customs.
French health authorities have reported 23,924 new confirmed cases and 321 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 72,877.
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