The British Film Institute (BFI) has compiled a list of guidelines for UK professionals heading to the Cannes Film Festival in France next month.
It encompasses the requirements for travel between the UK and France for both those who have had the necessary two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and those who have not. It is taken from guidance on the websites of the UK and French governments and is accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change at short notice. The BFI said it will be updated as frequently as possible.
It does not include information on the festival’s health and safety requirements while in Cannes.
The UK and France are both on each country’s respective ‘amber’ list regarding international travel.
If you are fully vaccinated
Travelling from the UK to France
If you are fully vaccinated you do not need to have an essential reason to travel to France and you do not need to self-isolate on arrival.
However, you do need to be able to present the following:
1. Either a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of your departure to France, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure.
2. A completed ‘déclaration sur |’honneur’, or sworn statement, self-certifying that you are not suffering from any symptoms associated with coronavirus and that have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. You can find the statement template here
3. Proof of vaccination status - eg a copy of your NHS vaccine letter or other communication, or a certificate if issued; also acceptable is the NHS app that demonstrates your status. Appointment cards should not be used as proof. It is important you also read this page on the French Government site and in particular the section at the end where it gives guidance on proof of vaccination — just to double-check
NB: According to the UK gov.uk site, you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider.
Returning to the UK from France
1. If you are fully vaccinated, you are not required to present an essential reason for travel back to the UK. No UK citizen or resident should be prevented from leaving France to travel to the UK
2. Before you travel to the UK you must:
a. Take a Covid-19 test and provide evidence that it is negative up to 3 days before departure If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival. You can access tests in France via the French government’s website [in French]
b. Book and pay for day 2 and day 8 Covid-19 travel tests — to be taken after arrival in the UK
c. Complete a Passenger Locator Form
3. On arrival in the UK you must
a. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
b. Take a Covid-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
4. Do check the specific national guidance that applies to you on return to the UK as each may differ between England, Scotland, or Wales
If you are not fully vaccinated
Travelling from the UK to France
If you have not yet been fully vaccinated, you do need to prove that your trip is for essential reasons, you will need to self-isolate for 7 days after arrival and take a PCR test following that period, and you will need to present the following:
1. A completed international travel certificate within which you stipulate the essential reason for travel. If your reason for travel is not listed, you may be able to get assistance from the French Consulate in London
2. A completed ‘déclaration sur l’honneur’, or sworn statement, self-certifying that you are not suffering from any symptoms associated with coronavirus AND that have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight, AND, and that you will self-isolate for seven days after arrival. You can find the statement template here
3. A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, OR an antigen test within 48 hours of departure. There will be random antigen testing for unvaccinated arrivals
4. Remember, you will be required to self-isolate for 7 days after arrival in France and take a PCR test following that period
NB: According to the UK Gov.uk site, you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider.
Returning to the UK from France
1. The UK is subject to the French government’s amber list requirements. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to travel from France to the UK you must complete a Certificate to leave Metropolitan France, which specifies exemptions for travel
2. Before you travel to the UK you must
a. Take a Covid-19 test and provide evidence that it is negative up to 3 days before departure. If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival. You can access tests in France via the French government’s website [in French]
b. Book and pay for day 2 and day 8 Covid-19 travel tests - to be taken after arrival in the UK
c. Complete a Passenger Locator Form
3. On arrival in the UK you must:
a. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
b. Take a Covid-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
4. Do check the specific national guidance that applies to you on return to the UK as each may differ: England, Scotland, Wales
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