France to ban entry for unvaccinated non-essential Americans

Saturday, September 11, 2021

France has decided to ban unvaccinated non-essential travellers from US, Oman and Israel to enter the country, starting September 12.

Therefore travellers from these countries will only be allowed to travel to France for essential purposes. They will also have to present a negative test taken before travelling and self-isolate for seven days upon the arrival.

Previously, Spain also imposed more stringent measures in place for American travellers. Thus, since September 6, unvaccinated US nationals are not allowed to enter the Spanish territory without presenting vaccination proof or a negative test certificate.

Same as Spain, since September 6, Denmark has moved the US and Israel to its orange category, obliging unvaccinated travellers from these countries to provide a PCR or antigen test taken before departure and get quarantined for ten days followed by another testing requirement upon arrival. In addition to the US and Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, North Macedonia, and Montenegro were also added to the orange category.

However, the first country to act upon the EU’s recommendation is Italy, prohibiting Americans and those who have spent the last 14 days there, from entering the country restriction-free. Instead, US travellers reaching Italy, regardless of their vaccination status, have to provide a PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours or 24 respectively, before their arrival in the country.

In addition, unvaccinated travellers are obliged to undergo a five-day quarantine and get tested again by the end of the isolation period. Right after Italy’s decision, Bulgaria followed suit and banned unvaccinated Americans from entering the country restriction-free.

“Under the Bulgarian Ministry of Health order, countries are classified as green, orange, or red zones based on their COVID-19 risk. As of September 1, 2021, the United States will be considered a Red Zone country. That means persons arriving from the United States, regardless of their citizenship, are prohibited from entering Bulgaria unless they meet an exception,” the US embassy in Bulgaria noted in a notice issued on August 31.

But, unlike Italy, France, Bulgaria, Denmark and Germany, which had tightened entry restrictions on Americans long before the EU’s recommendation, several European countries are refusing or haven’t decided yet if they will ban Americans from entering their territory et. Currently, Greece is in such a position as it previously announced that it wouldn’t permit Americans to enter the country only after the summer season ends.

« Back to Page

• International Passenger Numbers in Perth Airport Have Rebounded to Pre-Covid Levels

• Explore the enchantment of our sugar bush: A journey into maple syrup magic

• Siargao’s tourist arrivals surge, marks stellar growth in Philippines

• Interview with Ahmad Al-Hmoud of the Jordan Tourism Board at FITUR

• AIME 2024 marks 63 per cent increase in exhibitors from previous year