France to require a PCR or antigen test for all UK arrivals from Saturday

Euronews (click here) is reporting that all UK visitors to France will need to show a negative covid test from Saturday 4th December. It was already known that restrictions were coming but the date had not been confirmed.

This restriction is not just aimed at UK travellers. It applies to anyone entering France from outside the EU.

The ruling applies irrespective of vaccination status.

Euronews, which quotes a French government spokesperson, says that either a PCR test or an antigen test will be required.

This is good news, to the extent that antigen (lateral flow) testing is quicker and cheaper. The test still needs to be medically supervised and a certificate issued – you cannot use a DIY NHS test.

The test must be taken within 48 hours. Euronews says ‘within 48 hours of travel’ but you should assume ’48 hours of arrival’. Technically, of course, as you clear French immigration at St Pancras if taking the train, you have already arrived by the time you depart ….

If you travelling to Paris via Eurostar and cannot arrange a test in advance, the Collinson testing centre at St Pancras International (on the upper level, next to the champagne bar) offers antigen tests with results promised within 45-60 minutes.

As well as your test result and your vaccination certificate, you will still to take your ‘declaration of honour’. This is a 2-page printed document, which can be downloaded in English from the French government website, in which you swear that you do not have covid and have not met anyone with it in recent days.

The Euronews report is here.