The British Film Institute has issued a briefing note for industry professionals travelling to France for the Cannes Film Festival (July 6-17).
The note is drawn from guidance on the U.K. and French government sites. The guidance is accurate as of now but it is subject to change at very short notice, given the fluid state of travel and COVID-19 transmission.
The U.K. and France are on each others’ amber lists.
For those fully vaccinated who are traveling from the U.K. to France:
If you are fully vaccinated you do not need to have an essential reason to travel to France and you do not need to self-isolate on arrival.
However, you do need to be able to present the following:
1. Either a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of your departure to France, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure. See here.
2. A completed ‘déclaration sur |’honneur,’ or sworn statement, self-certifying that you are not suffering from any symptoms associated with coronavirus and that have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. You can find the statement template here.
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3. Proof of vaccination status — eg. a copy of your NHS vaccine letter or other communication, or a certificate if issued; also acceptable is the NHS app that demonstrates your status. Appointment cards should not be used as proof.
It is important you also read this page on the French Government site and in particular the section at the end where it gives guidance on proof of vaccination — just to double check.
NB: According to the U.K. Gov.uk site, you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider.
Returning to the U.K. from France
1. If you are fully vaccinated, you are NOT required to present an essential reason for travel back to the U.K. No U.K. citizen or resident should be prevented from leaving France to travel to the U.K.
2. Before you travel to the U.K. you must
a. Take a COVID-19 test and provide evidence that it is negative up to three days before departure.
If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival.
You can access tests in France via the French government’s website [in French].
b. Book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests — to be taken after arrival in the U.K.
c. Complete a Passenger Locator Form.
3. On arrival in the U.K. you must
a. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
b. Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.
4. Do check the specific national guidance that applies to you on return to the U.K. as each may differ between England, Scotland, or Wales.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated
Travelling from the U.K. to France
If you have not yet been fully vaccinated, you do need to prove that your trip is for essential reasons, you will need to self-isolate for 7 days after arrival and take a PCR test following that period, and you will need to present the following:
1. A completed international travel certificate within which you stipulate the essential reason for travel. If your reason for travel is not listed, you may be able to get assistance from the French Consulate in London.
2. A completed ‘déclaration sur l’honneur’, or sworn statement, self-certifying that you are not suffering from any symptoms associated with coronavirus and that have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight, and that you will self-isolate for seven days after arrival. You can find the statement template here.
3. A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, or an antigen test within 48 hours of departure. There will be random antigen testing for unvaccinated arrivals.
4. Remember, you will be required to self-isolate for 7 days after arrival in France and take a PCR test following that period.
NB: According to the UK Gov.uk site, you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider.
Returning to the U.K. from France
1. The U.K. is subject to the French government’s amber list requirements. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to travel from France to the U.K. you must complete a Certificate to leave Metropolitan France, which specifies exemptions for travel.
2. Before you travel to the U.K. you must
a. Take a COVID-19 test and provide evidence that it is negative up to 3 days before departure.
If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival.
You can access tests in France via the French government’s website [in French].
b. Book and pay for day two and day eight COVID-19 travel tests — to be taken after arrival in the U.K.
c. Complete a Passenger Locator Form.
3. On arrival in the U.K. you must
a. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
b. Take a COVID-19 test on or before day two and on or after day eight.
4. Do check the specific national guidance that applies to you on return to the U.K. as each may differ: England, Scotland, Wales.
Further guidance sources
Look up the specific requirements for your international country of destination: https://Awww.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
See here for the UK Government advice on quarantine: httos:/Avwww.gov.uk/quidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
See here for the French Government site/ Certificate of International Travel: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel