Health Alert: France, Update to Travel Restrictions

Location: France

Event: France has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are strongly urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available. As of March 17, 2020, all European Union external borders, including those of France, are closed. U.S. citizens may still depart France to return to the United States, but travel across the Schengen area’s internal borders will be significantly restricted.

On March 16, 2020, the Government of France announced measures to minimize contact and travel. A containment system has been put into effect throughout France. If necessary, travel is permitted in the following cases:

Between home and work when telework is not possible;
To make essential purchases in authorized local shops;
For health reasons;
To care for children or help vulnerable people; or
Brief movements near or around one’s residence for individual exercise or pet care.

Travel to the airport is also permitted. If you must travel for one of these reasons, you must carry an attestation (the form with an English translation is available on our U.S. Embassy COVID-19 webpage).

Due to reduced staffing, only emergency American Citizen Services are available at the U.S. Embassy in Paris and Consulate General in Marseille. Very limited visa services for those who qualify for an exception to the Presidential Proclamation restricting travel to the United States are available in Paris.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on the disease.
Dial 15 for emergency services in France if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Do not go directly to an emergency department, doctor’s office, or clinic.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in France.
For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts.
Have a plan to depart from France that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the U.S.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.