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Original poster

Access to France now during lock down

61 replies

Banya400 · 03/04/2020 06:01

Half of our family are in France and half in UK. We were all supposed to be in France but I stayed with one of the kids as GCSEs were coming up and we were going to join them after they closed the schools but now too late as they closed the borders pretty much. We are not French or permanent residents. Any thoughts or ideas of how or if we could possible join them to finish the lock down in house there (rented, not owned) has anyone travelled since they closed the border to non French, or non EU mainland residents?

If so do you know what if any documents are needed or requested and what is permitted or not permitted.

OP posts:
Whenwillthisbeover · 03/04/2020 06:06

😒 seriously?

HotDogGuy · 03/04/2020 06:08

You can’t. You’ve got to stay where you are and they have to stay where they are.
They may have more chance of being repatriated to the UK if you’re not permanent residents there. But you should all stay where you are and follow the rules

Sparticuscaticus · 03/04/2020 06:08

UK is in lockdown stay at home
France is in lockdown.

What part of that is difficult to understand? No, you don't travel anywhere, you stay where you are, stay home and don't go out.

Apolloanddaphne · 03/04/2020 06:40

You really can't go to France right now no matter how much you might want to. We are all in lockdown and that is not essential travel.

How would you even get there if you were to try? Is transport still running to France?

Parker231 · 03/04/2020 06:43

It’s not an essential journey is it?

Pascha · 03/04/2020 06:45

I'm pretty sure France won't let you in if you don't have residency rights. Your family will have more luck coming home. Eurotunnel is running some shuttles but only to people proven to be allowed to travel.

Pascha · 03/04/2020 06:47

Allowed to cross the border I should say. Repatriation to Britain would be OK.

FredaFox · 03/04/2020 06:47

My uncle lives in France, people are getting fined for leaving the house, the fines increase in value the more times someone is stopped. They have a paper they need to produce when leaving the house and they have a designated time slot they can go out if they have a genuine reason so yeah you can just travel around France willy billy to meet your family 🙄
I’m not sure they will even be able to come to the UK without permission now

SpudsAreLife84 · 03/04/2020 06:48

You can't be serious?! Shock

MadinMarch · 03/04/2020 06:52

You're really asking how you can go on holiday to France while France and the UK are in lockdown?

Do you realise how riduculous and stupid you sound?

Sexnotgender · 03/04/2020 06:53

That’s not going to be possible. Both halves of the family will just need to make the best of the situation separately.

LefttoherownDevizes · 03/04/2020 06:56

Another adding to the absolutely no chance voices OP.Seriously???

You win be denied entry, as others say the best you can hope for is the others being allowed into the UK but that would only be if they have an essential reason. The fact that you have willingly been apart shows it's not essential.

Reginabambina · 03/04/2020 06:59

Some countries are making exceptions for immediate family of residents/citizens but I’m not sure about France. By the sounds of it it would be better for your family members in France to return to the U.K. if possible.

Reginabambina · 03/04/2020 07:00

@MadinMarch I’ve just travel from one country in lockdown to another in lockdown. It’s really not that stupid.

inflam · 03/04/2020 07:01

has anyone travelled since they closed the border to non French, or non EU mainland residents?

I think you have answered your own question here. The border is closed.

SparePantsAndLego · 03/04/2020 07:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Banya400 · 03/04/2020 07:02

Just had reply from French border control by email actually and they said yes with a one year rental contract it would be fine to enter and just heard from someone else on another forum that they were allowed access on 22nd with a one year rental contract too. So looks hopeful.

OP posts:
SpudsAreLife84 · 03/04/2020 07:04

This reply has been deleted

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Apolloanddaphne · 03/04/2020 07:08

Whether it is possible or not why would you want to risk travelling and possibly contracting CV, taking it with you and infecting your family? Just stay where you are and keep everyone safe.

MrsWonderland · 03/04/2020 07:09

I don't know your full circumstances so I'm not going to judge and will assume you are not just going on holiday. My husband is Dutch and his father is dying of Coronavirus in Amsterdam. We took the unbearably difficult decision at 8.30am yesterday to book the only BA flight to Amsterdam. I drove him straight to Heathrow, he boarded the flight, landed in Schipol 45 minutes later and is now with his sister. I don't know about France but there are flights to a Europe which I urge you only to use in life or death situations. I don't know how or when he will return.

Original poster
Banya400 · 03/04/2020 07:09

No it isn't a hoax post. Some slightly hysterical answers here. It isn't for a holiday. It is tricky for them to come back too. They know the rules in France and are able to go out with the self certification document.

Mumsnet has become so unpleasant in the last few years and even more so since this Corona Virus. I asked on two forums and the other has been much more helpful so far. I understand the rules and am looking to work within them. Now I have a written reply in French from the French authorities of what paper work is acceptable so will take the lease with me and see if the folks on the border control agree.

OP posts:
SparePantsAndLego · 03/04/2020 07:12

Well, at least they may find a cure for coronavirus. Selfishness is clearly incurable...

ememem84 · 03/04/2020 07:17

I’d be making absolutely sure that you can get in before you travel.

And will you even be able to leave the U.K.? That’s another point.

We physically can’t leave at present (in jersey). Airport is closed to all but medical evacuations. And the harbour is closed to passengers. Limited freight is coming in.

Even if I wanted to leave. I couldn’t.

Parker231 · 03/04/2020 07:20

OP - does your proposed journey meet one of the below categories?

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:

shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

DippyAvocado · 03/04/2020 07:20

OP isn't going on holiday, she is going to join her permanent household who are living there for a year.

Glad you've had some positive news.