On October 30th, France heads back into lockdown to try and control the spread of Covid-19 and exert some damage control on a second wave. Understandably, this has left residents and travellers concerned about what they can and cannot do in the country for the next 4-weeks. If you have a trip planned in France in November, the best advice is to contact your accommodation and airline for more detailed and personalised information. But, you can be assured that French travel isn’t completely cancelled – it is just a little more restricted.
What do these new restrictions mean for travel in France?
Many hotels will stay open during this time to provide accommodation to travellers and locals. However, there are restrictions on how many people can socialize together in France. Also, hotels are within their rights to limit access to facilities, create more sanitation areas, and create one-way systems in corridors and staircases. Also, you are going to have to wear a mask when in these communal areas and also while you are outside in France.
Also be aware that there are stricter rules in the bigger metropolitan areas of France, such as Paris. Residents need an exemption certificate to leave their home. Travellers, wherever for business or leisure, could find themselves questioned when outside of their hotel.
Things are a little more relaxed in other regions, where groups of 6 or fewer can socialise together and enjoy hospitality or events with appropriate restrictions. Venues are allowed to stay open, as long as they are no more than 5,000 people and there is spacing between groups.
Hopefully, these tighter rules are only in place for a month.
The current plan is that these restrictions will last for 4 weeks. This should be enough to control the wave and add a little more security to life in France. If so, things should get back to the “new normal” of the last few months.