Skiing in France in Feb half term?

[winterrabbit]

We have a provisional booking in Feb half term for me, DH, and 3 kids aged 13, 11 and 3. DH and I are double vaxxed and will have had booster by the time we go. Our 13 year old is not yet vaxxed due to potential health risks so trying to work out if he will be able to get a covid pass if he tests every day in the region. Not sure if they still allow this or if they will insist on the super covid pass like Italy. Does anyone know? There's also the issue of the travel ban on UK citizens. Is this expected to be lifted? All looking a bit too difficult really!

France has announced vaccinated travellers will be able to enter without compelling reason within the next few days with a test within 24 hours (so same day PCR or most of us will use LFTs).

There has been no announcement for unvaccinated/part vac teens. My guess is they will be allowed in with a test but (again subject to confirmation) I expect daily LFT for passe sanitaire will still apply (ski lift, restaurants, swimming etc).

Thank you @abricotine. Have you any thoughts about when they might clarify the position for single vaccinated 12 to 15-year-olds?

I'm guessing some people have booked to travel tomorrow and Saturday and will be struggling to know what to do without further details

@freckles20 I think it will be very soon when they publish the full rules.

@abricotine Thank you, I hope so too.

The BBC reports in the UK say that the actual opening up begins tomorrow, Friday – so I am thinking there will be lots of parents with non-or partially vaccinated 12 to 15-year-olds who are desperate to find out how the restrictions will work, if they have bookings for this weekend, and also lots of people needing to organise tests.

Reports say full details to be set out tomorrow by the French government - I was so optimistic with all the news of restrictions lifted but worried now that the rules for what constitutes "vaccinated" will mean its out for us with a single jabbed 12 yr old.

Holding our breath as we also have a 12yr old with only a single vaccination due to covid and no proof of recovery as his lat flows were all positive but PCR was void.

French Consulate in London website was changed in the last few hours with the following

uk.ambafrance.org/FAQ-Travel-between-France-and-the-UK

“LATEST :

Easing of travel conditions from the UK to France in the next few days.
Full details will be posted on our websites as soon as possible.”

Thank you @notimagain . It is interesting that it says on that link "over the next few days", whereas the BBC is reporting that new rules will come into place tomorrow. I wonder if the BBC has got their wires crossed and that it is the new rules that come out tomorrow, rather than the new rules being implemented tomorrow. I guess only time will tell. I really feel for those hoping to travel this weekend

Also waiting anxiously.. @Chickpea22 we're in the same position 15yr old had Covid end of Sept but was one of the thousands who's pcr's were sent to the lab that we're reporting erroneous -ve results so never had confirmation. I've been wondering how to get a recognised confirmation of his covid infection. If recent infection plus a single vaccine will allow him to travel then I'll pursue vigorously!

I’ve got French news on (BFM) and they are saying changes in force AM tomorrow but haven’t given full details of changes other than there will no longer be a need to have a “motif imperieux” to travel from the UK.

The Consulate site tends to be a bit slow in getting updated.

Is it just perhaps worth pointing out/emphasizing at this point that the Border Crossing rules for entering France are not the same rules that apply when in country, that’s governed by the Passé Sanitaire/shortly to be Passé vaccinal?

@abricotine sorry for the direct question but do you know if it makes any difference to the entry requirements if we are arriving in France from Switzerland (flying into Geneva)?

The translation of the rules suggest that if you are arriving from an EU state (inc Switzerland) different rules apply but I am assuming it means a national from a EU state rather than just turning up at the border of an EU state / France regardless of nationality.

I can't seem to find an answer answer anywhere - not trying to swerve the rules but a bit of wishful thinking that France via Geneva might be do-able with 12 yr old.

@anneyc there are private GPs that will provide a Proof of Recovery from covid at a cost (have seen this from various googling today for our neighbour) if you can prove the details. Might be worth looking into.

@notimagain that is a really good point with regard to the upcoming pass vaccinare.

We already have daily supervised tests booked for my single vaccinated 14-year-old. Should we be allowed to travel to France.

However we aren't clear what will happen if the pass vaccinare is implemented- because as I understand it that may mean that he cannot obtain a pass to travel on skilifts via supervised testing every 24 hours? So in effect he cannot ski.

Are there any updates as to when the pass vaccination might come inTo force, and implications for travellers? I would absolutely hate to get all the way to France only to find that my son cannot use a ski lift! I absolutely do want to follow all of the rules, it is just quite challenging to work out what they are especially when things are changing.

www.morzinesourcemagazine.com/travel-to-france-from-the-uk/?fbclid=IwAR1qEUGFj0MiGpKxq7kofoIuN8cPD_LBycNXm9-RfwNIAx9hDUveXn_HLK0

This from Morzine source is very good on entry requirements (and they seem to think that the previous arrangements will be maintained as regards teens and under 12).

There is a separate article linked within it regarding Passe Sanitaire (to access lifts, restaurants, trains etc). While 18+ need a Pass Vaccinal, they think the existing testing regime will be maintained for 12-17. So daily tests will allow teens to maintain their passe sanitaire if they cannot have their 2 jabs in time (or prove it).

Flying into Geneva requires a test for vaccinated 16+ within 24h of boarding. Unvaccinated under 18 are allowed to accompany vaccinated parents (but 16+ need a test).

The one thing I need to double check is if 12-15 need to test to drive from GVA into France. Practically speaking it’s not likely to be an issue thanks to Schengen but would like to be sure.

On return if you are not staying over in Switzerland there is an exemption for transit under 24h. So nobody needs a “test to return” to enter GVA airport to fly home.

Disclaimer - this is my understanding based on my reading!

Thank you abricotine. That’s really useful and looks tentatively positive.

I agree, best to wait and see what they confirm over the entry rules for teenagers particularly

Thank you @abricotine. Its really tough isn't it? We're supposed to be going to Les Gets - the associated article says there is one pharmacy is Les Gets where you cannot pre-book tests and 12yr old would be to test every day at 25 euros a time. I just imagine huge queues, missing lots of skiing not to mention the worry of her testing +ve. If the announcement tomorrow is that the testing regime remains in place for 12-17 yr olds, I'm not sure its worth it.

@Africa2go I can absolutely understand why you might think that. To be honest if there was a way of getting our money back and not going we would take that option and probably ski in Switzerland instead if we could.

As it stands our holiday company will not refund as if the reason for not travelling is because our 14-year-old cannot go, or cannot ski, or has to have a pass sanitere.

Not quite the same situation - we're going as a group for the first time (usually just ski as a family) so its a shared chalet - the cost of which is shared between us - and we're the only family affected. If we drop out, we either have to stump up our share of the chalet / ask others to cover the cost / noone else goes - none of which are attractive options. And most importantly, we're desperate to go in normal circumstances - have been looking forward to it for 18 months!!

@Africa2go- actually our situation is very similar. We are part of a group of 16 but only my son is affected as everyone else is over 18 and vaccinated.

If travel had been completely prohibited we would've got a full refund. But if only my son can't go there will be no refund so the rest of the party will be able to travel and the three of us will forfeit our payment. It's really tricky.

Lets see what they say tomorrow, fingers crossed!!

@africa2go

The announcement about the border opening to British tourists won't contain any changes to the rules about the pass sanitaire (needed for ski lifts, restaurants, pools etc).
The pass sanitaire is in the process of being strengthened to a vaccine only pass for over 17s. I don't think there is any possibility at all that they will decide to allow incompletely vaccinated teenagers to no longer test in order to get the pass.
This applies to French nationals as well, not just British. I also don't think there is any chance they would have have a covid rule in place for their own citizens but with an exemption for foreign tourists- there would be outrage!

@Pineappleunder I am keen to understand the 'over 17' part of your post- as my son is 14 and has had once vaccine but isn't eligible for his second until end Feb (we travel in January). Do you have any links or references for the 'over 17' but please?

*but not but.

Perhaps aged 18 and over is a better way of expressing it. I don't hugely understand the French political process but basically the original bill for the pass vaccinal is most likely to be amended to not include those under 18, at least for some activities.
This would mean age 12-17 don't need to be have pass vaccinal. But would still be able to use the pass sanitaire- for which testing every 24 hours is required.
It's worth noting though that there is still some uncertainty as to whether teenagers will need to be vaccinated for access to restaurants/ bars. It is pretty certain it won't be needed for extra curricular activities/ sports/ cultural activities- which I would say covers skiing pretty well.

I think the senate (equivalent of house of Lords?) are debating it further today and the changes are expected to come into force around the 17th.

Sorry that's not a very succinct post!
www.google.com/amp/s/www.lci.fr/amp/politique/pass-vaccinal-sur-quels-points-du-projet-de-loi-deputes-et-senateurs-devront-ils-s-entendre-en-commission-mixte-paritaire-2207072.html