Changes To COVID Entry Rules, End Of Vaccine Pass And Masks

As of today Monday, March 14, 2022 masks and the vaccine pass (pass vaccinal) are no longer required anywhere with the exception of public transportation and medical facilities.

Where You Won’t Need A Mask Or Vaccine Pass: 

Masks are no longer mandatory in schools (at all levels- elementary through university) but students and teachers are under no obligation to remove them.  To wear or not-to-wear masks was a big discussion topic over the weekend with families.  My twins are in middle school and they were planning on bringing their masks with them just in case.  Some of their teachers said they would continue wearing them.  The protocol has also changed if there is a positive case in the class.  All kids now are considered contact cases and depending in their age will have to follow new testing guidelines. 

Elementary school kids no longer have to isolate themselves, but must perform a self-test at D+2.

In middle school and high school, kids who are unvaccinated contact cases will have to isolate themselves for seven days and perform a PCR or antigenic test before they can return to class. Those who are vaccinated can remain in school and will have to do a self-test at D+2.

I find this a little tricky because vaccination status in schools is confidential, the vaccine pass was not required for schools, so we have to rely on the honesty of parents.

Another very welcome change is that school kids can now finally play contact sports both indoors and outdoors.  No one is happier about this than one of my boys who has had to endure line dance at gym class for the last year and a half! At lunchtime kids from different classes can inter mingle and sit together.  In the past for contract tracing, seating was by class only in the lunch room.

Business, bakeries, museums, theaters, the post office, etc are also be maskless starting today.  Many companies are planning on holding an apero (cocktail) to mark the occasion and foster a little team spirit.  Numerous companies still have their employees working from home and due to cost cutting it looks like this is the way of the future.  My husband goes into work just one day and week and the rest of the week he is working from his home office.  

One interesting thing to note is some private organizations are choosing to still apply the pass vaccinal and businesses can set their own mask requirements.  Be aware, the U.S. Embassy still requires masks be worn in the Consular waiting room for all people age 6 and older. My church, The American Cathedral in Paris, is also still requiring the Pass Vaccinal and it is checked at the door when you enter. This is to protect the fragile church community as there is a great mix of people that come there to worship (old, young, locals and visitors). 

Where You’ll Still Need A Mask And Pass: 

Wearing masks remains the rule on public transportation (bus, metro, plane, train) and also in health facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes.   I haven’t been to the pharmacy yet today but although not mandatory I’d still wear a mask there.  Anyone who has symptoms or has tested positive with a self-test in inevitably going to go to the pharmacy.  Better safe than sorry.

To board long-distance trains, you will not be asked for the vaccine pass but you WILL have to wear a mask. Hospitals and nursing homes will require the pass and mask.

Another Big Change… On March 13, France Reclassified The United States As A “Green” Country Under The French Color-Coded Travel Rules Scheme.  Here Are The Latest French Entry Requirements: 

• For travellers fully vaccinated within the meaning of European regulations, no more tests is required on departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule becomes sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin, as was the case before the distribution of the Omicron variant.

• For unvaccinated travellers, the obligation to present a negative test to travel to France remains, but the measures on arrival (test, isolation) are lifted when they come from countries on the “green” list, characterized by a moderate circulation of the virus.

• When unvaccinated travelers come from a country on the “orange” list, they must continue to present a compelling reason justifying the need for them to come to mainland France and may still be subject to a random test on arrival. Travelers who test positive will have to isolate themselves, in accordance with the recommendations of the Health Insurance.

France counts people as fully vaccinated if you are vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine – Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen or AstraZeneca (including Covidshield) and have waited seven days after your second dose, or 28 days after the single dose in the case of Janssen.
A booster shot is not required to enter the country.

Most airlines (sadly not in the interior of the USA) still require masks.  You should also check what the requirements are for returning home.

U.S. Entry Rules Have Not Changed.  As A Reminder, The Rules For Travel To The United States Remain:

 All travellers, including U.S. citizens: Must have a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) performed no early than the day prior to travel or proof of a positive test for COVID taken within the 90 days before travel along with a note from a doctor or public health official stating that the traveler is cleared to travel.  

 Non-U.S. citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents, including the spouses and children of U.S. citizens: Must also show that they are fully vaccinated under U.S. rules or meet one of the listed exceptions shown on the CDC website.  The vaccination requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, or people traveling on an immigrant visa.