UAE: Full list of rules for vaccinated residents travelling to France

Dubai - Travellers must have taken jabs that were approved by the European Medicines Agency.

Starting June 9, fully vaccinated UAE residents will be able to fly to France for a holiday, an official with the country’s tourism development agency confirmed to Khaleej Times.

However, French borders will be open only to those who took jabs that were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and these include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.

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“Non-vaccinated travellers will have to justify their purpose of travel by stating any one of the compelling reasons established by French authorities. Both types of travellers will have to undergo PCR tests,” said Karim Mekachera, regional director of Atout France Middle East, France’s tourism development agency.

In the UAE, four types of vaccines are being administered to residents: Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and AstraZeneca.

Since the EMA is yet to recognise the Sinopharm and Sputnik V jabs, travellers who have proof of these two vaccines won’t be able to travel to France for leisure or tourism purposes, said Mekachera.

“While it is a different story for French nationals, non-French and EU citizens who have taken Sinopharm or Sputnik V need to have a compelling reason to travel,” he explained. Non-vaccinated travellers must undergo seven days of self-isolation upon arrival as well.

Fully vaccinated travellers will have to submit proof of their jabs and a negative result from a PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to boarding or a negative antigen test taken less than 48 hours before the flight.

The same policy applies to children below 18 years old.

“A negative PCR test will be needed while leaving the country. France is one of the only countries in the world that provide free PCR tests,” Mekachera said.

“French destinations, hotels and tourist attractions are ready to welcome travellers from the Middle East in the best conditions while respecting sanitary measures,” he said.

“We are aware of the urge of Middle Eastern tourists to travel back to Europe, and historically, France is one of the most privileged destinations for Middle Eastern travellers. We are looking forward to welcoming them,” he said.

Rules for fully vaccinated residents

The French government has said the proof of vaccination is only valid if it can attest to a complete vaccination schedule, which are:

> Two weeks after the 2nd shot for dual-injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca)

> Four weeks after the jab for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson)

> Two weeks after injecting vaccines for people with a previous history of contracting Covid-19 (only one injection required)

*They will also have to submit a negative result from a PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to boarding or a negative antigen test taken less than 48 hours before the flight

Rules for non-vaccinated travellers

Travellers who have not been vaccinated must have a compelling reason* to enter France. They could be French citizens, citizens of the EU, citizens of a third country who are holders of a valid French or European residence permit or long-stay visa, or healthcare professionals contributing towards Covid-19 research, among others.

The travellers must:

> Present a negative PCR test taken less than fewer than 72 hours or a negative antigen test taken less than 48 hours before boarding

> Undergo a random antigen test upon arrival in France