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Original poster

Can DH go to France to visit MIL?

31 replies

JammyGem · 08/02/2021 17:21

We live in England. MIL is sadly very ill in hospital in France. She's had a few health problems and has been in hospital since Christmas, and we have now had the news that she has tested positive for COVID and is on a ventilator. It doesn't look good Sad

DH understandably wants to see his mum, but we're totally lost getting to figure out of he can - he's trying to read the info on the French embassy website but can't make head nor tail of it in his current emotional state, and my French is not good enough to understand all the legal jargon.

Can anyone tell me if he can go to France to visit his mother? Are French hospitals even allowing visitors if the patient is on their deathbed? If she doesn't recover, would he be allowed to go to her funeral?

I don't know how to support him and feel terrible for him that he may not be able to say goodbye.

OP posts:
Bionicname · 08/02/2021 17:25

This sounds so dreadful and I feel for your husband. In a first instance, is there any way he could phone someone at the hospital to ask about their policy for visitors?

Pastanred · 08/02/2021 17:28

He absolutely can go because it’s essential travel

antidisestablishmentarianism · 08/02/2021 17:30

This has a few links in it to check, not sure if it helps

www.connexionfrance.com/Practical/Your-Questions/France-Lockdown-Can-I-visit-my-husband-in-hospital

BluebellsGreenbells · 08/02/2021 17:31

It may be essential travel but that’s no good if he can’t is it or attend the funeral

You need to call the hospital

Why not put a message of FB to see if any native French speaker could help or see if you can speak to the French consulate

clearsommespace · 08/02/2021 17:32

So sorry to hear of your situation.
You could post links to the pages you don't understand. Lots of French speakers (inc me) on this site.

Original poster
JammyGem · 08/02/2021 17:32

Unfortunately the hospital staff are not very good at giving out information. I understand that they're obviously very busy, but they can be a little rude! When DH called the hospital to speak to MIL at the weekend (as he usually does) the nurse he spoke to just said "she's in isolation" and hung up before he could ask any questions. That's how we found out she has covid.

OP posts:
CoffeeRunner · 08/02/2021 17:33

I don’t know (unhelpful I know) but a colleague of mine went to France to visit his dad in the same circumstances during the first lockdown (his dad sadly passed away).

I would hope he can. As a pp says, wouldn’t it be deemed essential travel?

sunshinesupermum · 08/02/2021 17:34

He can go if he is a French citizen but will need a covid test first. There may be problems when he wants to re-enter the UK though. It is all very confusing ATM.

User647647 · 08/02/2021 17:34

I think he can go but if I was him I would have something in writing confirming the situation as he may be asked to show proof.

I was flying back from Spain last month and I was asked by airport police proof of residence in the UK, since ‘going back home’ was the reason I gave when asked why I was flying.

Ive been flying to Spain to visit my critically ill mum and always carry a letter from her GP. Haven’t been asked for it, but this was before the more severe travel rules.

Bionicname · 08/02/2021 17:35

www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel

I think this links to the English language information for travellers UK->France. Half way down the page you’ll have to select the tab
TRAVEL TO/FROM A EUROPEAN AREA COUNTRY
TRAVEL TO/FROM A COUNTRY OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN AREA

User647647 · 08/02/2021 17:36

Oh and yes, the UK border police asked me why I had been to Spain, I told them about my mum and they took my word for it.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 08/02/2021 17:39

This UK gov website may help you..

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

starbrightstarlight8888 · 08/02/2021 17:41

My dsd is going to visit her mum this week in France. Nobody is dying and dsd's mum says she's allowed to go so we'll see what happens. I'm not convinced myself.

Frogartist · 08/02/2021 17:42

Also, contact the French embassy in London. They will be able to advice.

crustybreaddarling · 08/02/2021 17:42

Is his mum a French resident? We drove through France last month to get home. Each country we drove through had forms that we needed to fill in ahead of departure. They were not checked at Eurotunnel but we were asked by the French passport control if we had them. We were driving a car with the plates of our home country, which I suspect would be easier than travelling in U.K. plates. There were only 4 cars on the mid-day train we travelled on.

He'll need a valid Covid test, we got one done at the Holiday Inn just by Eurotunnel.

Wallywobbles · 08/02/2021 18:21

You'll need to be sure he can visit her in hospital because I'm afraid I'm pretty sure the answer will be no. He must speak to the hospital to ascertain that.

I took my DD15 in for an out patients appointment today. I was allowed in with her as she a minor, otherwise not allowed in, or to wait inside. Could wait in the car park only.

miimblemomble · 08/02/2021 19:33

@JammyGem

Is your DH a French citizen? That makes an important difference. French citizens are allowed to enter France from the U.K. for various “compelling” reasons, including family reasons. But it’s not as easy if he isn’t french.

I’m asking around some friends here re. Hospital visits. - several of them are nurses.

Funerals with up to 20 people are allowed here AFAIC remember.

miimblemomble · 08/02/2021 19:34

Ps is MIL in hospital or an EPHAD (old folks nursing home)?

Original poster
JammyGem · 08/02/2021 19:43

Yes, he's a French resident.

She normally lives at a EPHAD but has been in the hospital since Christmas.

We've just heard that she doesn't have long, and other family has been asked by the doctors to travel to her tonight.

We're making a plan and DH is going to start travelling tomorrow, even if its just to by the channel tunnel to stay at a hotel there while awaiting a test.

OP posts:
Oly4 · 08/02/2021 19:45

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Yes he can travel to see his dying mother, hopefully he will get there in time

miimblemomble · 08/02/2021 19:49

As a citizen, he’s able to come into France for family reasons. He has to do all the tests etc, but he can travel.

Best wishes,

lovepigeon · 08/02/2021 21:22

Sorry to hear about your MIL. My grandfather died in France last year during lockdown so i can share our experience in case it helps. He had also been in EHPAD for a few months then sudden worsening and hospitalised (cancer). We had not been allowed to visit when he was in the EHPAD but once in hospital and doctors decided no more treatment only palliative they said we were allowed to visit from UK.

We were worried about being allowed in the country as you are. The hospital doctor emailed my mum a letter saying he was dying and she needed to visit, the letter gave doctor's contact details and full names of those who would be visiting from UK. Doctor's note printed out + the forms from the French embassy was the required evidence if stopped by police/at border. My mum and I (French) and my dad (British) went over there.

We travelled by car/eurotunnel too so risk of covid transmission minimised.
The hospital staff seemed to relax visiting rules vs normal because he was dying. We got to spend 2 days with him and were with him when he died. I only wish we had been allowed to visit earlier as almost as soon as we arrived at hospital they gave him very strong morphine+other drug which made him only semi conscious. I regret I didn't get to say goodbye properly.

There was delay for funeral due to covid backlog, it took nearly 2 weeks whereas less than 1 week is normal in France.

I hope your husband is able to get there in time. I think the police are understanding of this situation and especially if you are careful with masks etc.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 08/02/2021 22:34

So sad.

OP: he will have to stay in a quarantine hotel for 10 days if he returns

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 08/02/2021 22:35

Sorry... if he returns from 15 Feb onwards.

Nightowl33 · 08/02/2021 22:42

If he’s French he can definitely go as long as it is one of the “motifs impérieux’ and he has a letter to prove his mum is unwell. The form to download is on the French gov website.

No hotel quarantine when he gets back to the U.K. as France isn’t on the list.