After a successful deployment of vaccination campaigns in both countries, which resulted in a reduction in COVID-19 cases in their territory, France has added the United States and Canada to its green list of nations.
The decision was made on Thursday, June 17, and was stated in the government’s Journal official, when both nations were reclassified from orange to green, which is the category for countries with lower COVID-19 rates.
Travelers from the United States and Canada can now visit France without needing to show a compelling reason for their visit or undergo quarantine. Tourists, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, are also welcome.
Those who have been vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) — Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Moderna, and Janssen – are not need to do any COVID-19 tests before or after entering the country.
Those who have not been vaccinated, on the other hand, must provide negative findings from a PCR or antigen test done within the previous 72 hours before arriving in France.
France removed many COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday, stating that masks are no longer required outside and that an eight-month nocturnal coronavirus curfew would be lifted this weekend.
The surprising statement by French Prime Minister Jean Castex comes at a time when the country is recording approximately 3,900 new virus infections per day, down from 35,000 during the peak months of March and April.
The following nations are now on France’s green list, in addition to the United States and Canada:
European Union and Schengen Area countries
Australia
South Korea
Israel
Japan
New Zealand
Singapore
At least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been given to over 58 percent of France’s adult population. The European Union country extended its immunization programs to individuals aged 12 to 18 on Tuesday in order to safeguard citizens as limitations are gradually eliminated.