PRESS RELEASE
On June 30, France and the other Member States of the European Union adopted a recommendation on the reopening of Europe’s external borders from July 1, 2020, to a first list of fourteen countries, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, as well as China, subject to reciprocity. This list will be reviewed every two weeks.
In view of the satisfactory epidemiological evolution on European territory, new measures have been adopted following the decisions taken on June 15 with regards to the reopening of European borders (Schengen area) and the opening of borders to international visitors after July 1.
The first countries eligible for this reopening are: Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Uruguay, three North African States (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), two Eastern European States (Montenegro, Serbia) and Georgia.
The United States, Russia, Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are, at this stage, excluded from this list, as the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic is considered to be more serious there than in Europe. The reopening of borders with China is moreover suspended on the principle of reciprocity (China has not yet reopened its borders to European travellers).
As a reminder, the internal borders of the European Union – Schengen area reopened June 15 (and Spain’s on June 21). All health and security measures are being taken on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the border restrictions are lifted in the best possible conditions.
However, the British government (the United Kingdom being, in the post-Brexit transition period, still considered as an EU Member State) has decided to impose since June 8 a 2-week period quarantine on foreign travellers, therefore France is applying the rule of reciprocity until further notice. However, the 2-week period quarantine measure should evolve in the near-future.
France was visited by 1.2 million Canadians in 2018.
More information on reopening and sanitary precaution’s in France can be found on France.fr.
About Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency
Atout France, the only state operator in the tourism field contributes to the enhancement of the attractiveness of the France destination and the competitiveness of its businesses and sectors. Thanks to its 32 offices in 29 countries, Atout France covers 78 intervention markets with the close collaboration of the embassies and has a precise knowledge of the international tourist customers and the actors of the distribution. Atout France supports more than 1,300 professionals (institutional tourism and private companies) in their international development. In total, more than 2,800 promotional operations are organized each year. They target the general public, through a strong digital strategy (a powerful website, france.fr, 3 million fans on social media, 5,5 million qualified contacts) as well as communication campaigns or editions. International press and tourism professionals are also continuously kept aware of the advantages of the destination (trade shows, prospections, fam trips, conferences, etc.).
Press contact:
Marie-Andrée Boucher, Press Manager
Atout France Canada
Marie-andree.boucher@atout-france.fr
(514) 288-2026, extension 241
