I posted this in the private discussion forum for my program date but thought I would go ahead and cross-post here on the France forum for other programs and departure dates.
There is a new requirement for France starting this week (August 9 2021) on getting a Pass Sanitaire which enables people to enter restaurants, museums, other venues. Here is the information on how to get this approval which includes a QR code to be downloaded to an app. The CDC Vax card (or equivalent for Canada) will supposedly not work, you'll have to have the QR code.
Here is the French government website with the newest information (which is subject to change):
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
Here is the quick take on translation:
"You can request a vaccine equivalence health pass if you meet the following conditions:
You come from a country which does not belong to the European Union; You are 18 years of age or older. Until September 30, 2021, the health pass is not required for minors between 12 and 17 years old. In addition, minors under 12 are not subject to the health pass obligation; You have been vaccinated with a vaccine accepted by the European Medicines Agency or equivalent since more than 4 weeks after injection for single dose vaccines (Johnson & Johnson); more than 7 days after the second injection for two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca); more than 7 days after the injection if you have recovered from Covid-19 (in this case, only one injection is necessary); You are already in France or in the European Union or are planning to go there in the next few days.
How to apply? Gather all of the following documents, in electronic form only:
the application form (PDF - 27.8 kb); your vaccination certificate, drawn up according to the rules of the country of vaccination and clearly showing the type of vaccine used; your passport ; your return or one-way ticket for students. Send these documents (in pdf, jpg or png format) by email, only to the address which is appropriate for your place of residence or to the address intended for students. Attachments in zip file format will not be processed.
The sending addresses are as follows:
Zone 1 (United States): area1.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr Zone 2 (Canada): area2.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr Zone 3 (rest of the world): area3.covid-pass@diplomatie.gouv.fr No request received by any other means will be taken into account.
To facilitate the processing of requests received, the email must be sent with a title worded as indicated below: COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE / LAST NAME First name / Date of arrival in France in DD-MM-21 format For example: RUSSIA / GONTCHAROV Igor / 09-08-21, or CANADA / DURAND Anne / 09-08-2021
Warning !
Incomplete requests will not be processed. You will have to start your request again. Don't forget to complete and attach the form! Your entire submission should not exceed 10 MB. If your request exceeds this limit, it will not be received by us. As soon as your request is processed, you will receive an email containing a QR Code. This can be printed and presented on paper, or added to the TousAntiCovid application, to prove your vaccination status."
Since my trip is not until October I'm going to apply for the Pass Sanitaire next week to give myself some time to get it right,lol. I've downloaded the TousAnticovid app onto my iPhone and will add my QR code when I receive it. I see there are 2 apps and I'm not entirely sure which is the one but I'll come back to this thread when I've got it sorted.
For now, just gathering everything I need. It appears that we can just take a picture of our CDC vax cards, passport photo page, a copy of our flight receipt from the airline and the filled out form from the French website, then email all those to the address above for the US (or the one for Canada if you are Canadian). These documents can also be scanned and added that way.
Let me know your experience and thoughts. I know people will read this so at least add a comment or say "hi", lol!
**Note the date format is DD/MM/YYYY
~Pam
Pam, found your entry while looking for COVID testing info for our trip to Prague, DECEMBER 28! Thanks for posting to general discussion. While it has added to my to-do list and concerns, it’s oddly reassuring…
YES! Taking a supply of N95 masks. And info updates are random and all over the place. Currently, the Czech Republic is NOT automatically requiring COVID testing, rather it is referencing the date of one…
I'm going to Hawaii the end of January with family then my next Road Scholar trip is Belgium and Holland in April, assuming things are better there. I'll make a decision in February when my final payment…
I just sent off for my Pass Sanitaire today. You are supposed to get an email back saying they received it but I have not gotten this confirmation yet (it's only been a few hours). I printed out the application form (filled it out by hand), then took photos on my phone of the application form, my CDC form, my passport and my printed out itinerary from Delta and added those to the email.
I also got the notice from RS that the Information Packet for my program date is available. I was dismayed to see that while the information on getting the Pass Sanitaire is there, it's buried on page 20.
***It also says to send off for the Pass Sanitaire at least a week out from travel to France. A friend sent hers off week before last for a trip the end of September and while her traveling companion has received his QR code, she has not yet gotten hers. I recommend sending them off well before your travel date.
The packet also indicates the RS leader will help tour members get their needed Covid test for the return flights. They indicate they will help get the PCR test which is not actually needed for US residents although Canada residents do need this. US residents need the less-expensive Antigen test which is 29 Euro.
Pam, found your entry while looking for COVID testing info for our trip to Prague, DECEMBER 28! Thanks for posting to general discussion. While it has added to my to-do list and concerns, it’s oddly reassuring to know we’re not alone in navigating this brave, new world. Wishing you a safe, EASY and wonderful trip.
Hey Lin & Barn!
I just returned Sunday from my trip and had a fantastic time. The RS trip was terrific in spite of the lack of information received from RS main office on the front end. I DID receive my Pass Sanitaire before I left and it was needed to enter all museums and restaurants. They would also allow the use of the paper CDC card. You'll need that to travel as well.
I actually just replied on your other thread with some suggestions on home test kits. Not sure these will work for entry to the Czech Republic, though.
TBH, I'd also suggest you go over to the Rick Steves forum. It's very active with a number of people traveling right now or planning trips in the next few months and there is usually fairly reliable information and suggestions on there. Here is a link to the All Topics view of the forum for you to get a feel for it and then there is a specific Czech Republic forum.
community.ricksteves.com/.../all-topics
Your trip sounds wonderful!
Pam, a belated welcome home! Heartening to hear France worked out so well for you. We’re watching the European Covid situation carefully, although Road Scholar will cancel/otherwise alter the program before we change our plans. Since last using Road Scholar’s discussion board we’ve learned of a nearby PCR testing site that will be open the Monday after Xmas, provides results in 15-30 minutes and! has back-up generators in case the electricity goes out. Picking up tips from neighbors who are traveling, too, we anticipate testing the afternoon before we leave the States, to extend the 72 hour window as far as possible. I’ll be further reviewing the “Czech entry website” to facilitate eventual submission of the required entry form(s). I’m guessing countries are using these websites to move flight arrivals as efficiently and quickly as possible thru their airport entry halls.
Keep a very, very close eye on what is happening with the new Omicron variant. There have been HUGE changes in just the last couple of days as countries react to this variant.
Austria has completely closed to tourists until Dec 13, with a review then to determine how to go forward. UK just reinstated a quarantine on arriving visitors today (Nov 27) for Monday until the results of an arrival PCR show negative. Netherlands is going into a lockdown as well. I've also seen the Prague Christmas Markets have closed but not seen any further issues on closures there at this point.
You should keep up with these things yourself and if needed call Road Scholar to ask their intentions. I felt their office was not keeping up with the changes for proper Covid paperwork for France and was not notifying tour members adequately. Half of the people on my tour had no idea there was a health pass needed as Road Scholar buried the information in other paperwork and did not emphasize it well enough.
As mentioned above, you might follow the Rick Steves forum. Most of the information on there is timely and accurate. There are a number of people who live in Europe although I do not think anyone is currently residing in the Czech Republic.
I do recommend you plan to take N95 masks with you and wear them indoors/outdoors and on your transportation. Many were just wearing the hospital type masks and with the Omicron variant I'd want something that keeps out more contagion.
Hope you get to go!
YES! Taking a supply of N95 masks. And info updates are random and all over the place. Currently, the Czech Republic is NOT automatically requiring COVID testing, rather it is referencing the date of one’s most recent vaccination. Repeatedly plowing through the R.S. program info packet and keeping up with the Czech and U.S. COVID websites makes me wonder: how much more work/attention is necessary for R.S.’s on-site group leaders to keep relevant stateside R.S. management plugged in to on-site requirements/conditions so stateside management could in turn transmit timely info to program participants and keep them on the same page. Literally. And I’ll take another look at Rick Steves. Departure is 3 weeks from today . . . What’s your next adventure?
I'm going to Hawaii the end of January with family then my next Road Scholar trip is Belgium and Holland in April, assuming things are better there. I'll make a decision in February when my final payment is due but if restaurants are still closing in Amsterdam at 5PM or so, I'll cancel.
A friend just flew from Paris to Prague today and I'm eager to hear how they do there. They had a great time in Paris. They are traveling on their own.
I think there is a disconnect between the information the folks on the ground in Europe have and the RS office in Boston, particularly the staff members who answer the phones. The folks on the ground absolutely know the local rules and how to get you what you need to return to the US.
I'd say that any printed information for any European location is probably out of date within 2 weeks or less as things are changing.
Have a wonderful, wonderful time!
Thank you so much for the information!
Well, Wendy, things have changed a lot since I posted this thread in August. There is still the Pass Sanitaire but now you take your vaccine card to a local pharmacie in France and for around 36E they will do the paperwork to get you a Pass and the QR code after you show them your Passport and CDC card (if you are from the US).
Just Yesterday (Jan 16) the French Parliament passed a new regulation and the Pass Sanitaire will now be called the Pass Vaccinal. According to some French Residents on other forums this will likely go into effect the week of Jan 24. You will still get this done at a local Pharmacy.
If you are going to France (or another country) soon, I recommend following the Rick Steves forum for good up-to-date information.
It's also worthwhile to bookmark this website https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions because they also seem to be keeping up to date with changes. Just Friday things changed a little in Netherlands (some business are able to reopen but there is still a 10 day quarantine for travelers upon arrival) with the next review on Jan 25, I think.
Thank you for the information, Pam! I am also a fan of the Rick Steves site and have taken several trips with them as well!
Happy Travels!
Wendy