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Original poster

Skiing in France in Feb half term?

377 replies

winterrabbit · 02/01/2022 23:14

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!

OP posts:
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12
anneyc · 20/01/2022 00:11

@Chickpea22 just realised we have this too. We are driving from uk so won't arrive at the resort (or stopover hotel) until well after the pcr/antigen test has expired. Another thing to fathom!

MrsFrisbyMouse · 20/01/2022 15:11

I'm wondering if QR code they give you on the lab certified fit to fly certificates are also eligible for updating the Passe Sanitaire. And if so you could buy them in advance from someone like Randox and just keep doing them daily for those that need to.

freckles20 · 20/01/2022 16:42

@MrsFrisbyMouse

I'm wondering if QR code they give you on the lab certified fit to fly certificates are also eligible for updating the Passe Sanitaire. And if so you could buy them in advance from someone like Randox and just keep doing them daily for those that need to.
Oooh that's a very clever idea. I wish I knew the answer as we are leaving on Saturday! Really hoping that the PCR test my son is having the evening before we fly might carry him through for 24 hours.
daisybank2 · 20/01/2022 17:45

Looking at all eventualities, and wondering has anyone thought about what would happen if 1 or more of your family test positive while in France? We have a 14yr old who will be testing every day....
It's likely that the accommodation we're staying in would be fully booked for the following week, so we'd have to leave, but where on earth would you isolate?! Worst case scenario but not impossible!

abricotine · 20/01/2022 18:00

@MrsFrisbyMouse feel free to check but everything I hear says they are not. But a pharmacy may look at it and a vaccine proof and give you a QR code on payment. But many won't as they have been told not to do it

MrsFrisbyMouse · 20/01/2022 18:07

@abricotine I think you're right. Sadly. Though there looks to be plenty testing in resorts, it's just one of our party it affects. (With the added complication of an overnight in Paris to add in)

I'm actually off to France on Sunday - so will report back if I find anything more out!

JoanOgden · 20/01/2022 19:00

@daisybank2

Looking at all eventualities, and wondering has anyone thought about what would happen if 1 or more of your family test positive while in France? We have a 14yr old who will be testing every day.... It's likely that the accommodation we're staying in would be fully booked for the following week, so we'd have to leave, but where on earth would you isolate?! Worst case scenario but not impossible!
If necessary, one adult would stay with the Covidy child and the rest of the party would travel home. It should be possible to find last-minute accommodation in the resort, given that cancellations will be higher than usual.
Africa2go · 20/01/2022 21:29

@daisybank2 that's my worry too. We definitely can't stay in the accommodation past our due departure date.

freckles20 · 20/01/2022 21:47

@daisybank2

Looking at all eventualities, and wondering has anyone thought about what would happen if 1 or more of your family test positive while in France? We have a 14yr old who will be testing every day.... It's likely that the accommodation we're staying in would be fully booked for the following week, so we'd have to leave, but where on earth would you isolate?! Worst case scenario but not impossible!
Our chalet company have said they would find us somewhere to isolate. Also in our case our own holiday insurance covers us for this- although I'm not sure of the details. It is a worrying thought though x
daisybank2 · 20/01/2022 22:03

Thanks for advice. Hoping it won't happen! Will contact our chalet company and see what they say...we have insurance for this too but just thinking it's half term so v busy. Plus if it's a child and they have to share a hotel room with a parent then they'll likely get it too! Could be stuck there for weeks....!!

chalkyc2 · 21/01/2022 11:21

Ok I can confirm that if your child has had 2 vaccinations the letter for international travel that you send off for DOES have a QR code on it.

I can also confirm however that the bloody thing only lasts 30 days so I'm going to have to send off again now so that it covers half term 🙄🙄

chalkyc2 · 21/01/2022 11:24

Also I do not understand why they can't send you it electronically. Can you make copies of printed QR codes? I need to upload it onto DS's phone but I was also going to make a few copies and laminate them and stick them in jacket pockets etc. I saw a photo of someone who has stuck their QR code on their ski helmet which I thought was genius!!

FoxRedLabbingtons · 21/01/2022 11:40

Thanks Chalkyc2, that's really useful to know. I sent off for DD's today ready for half term skiing.

I scanned a photo of my NHS QR code into the TousAntiCovid app. I wonder if the same would work with a photo of the letter QR code?

Otherwise, we will have lots of laminated copies and photos on various phones!

chalkyc2 · 21/01/2022 11:53

Today should be fine - I sent off for it on Monday and the one just received runs out on the 17 Feb!!!

chalkyc2 · 21/01/2022 11:54

Lanyard. I'm getting him a QR code lanyard!!

doorornottodoor · 21/01/2022 13:29

I scanned photos of my QR codes printed off (Scotland)

Thunderpunt · 21/01/2022 17:34

We are driving through France to Austria for skiing at half term, also now stressing about the PCR test and Pass Sanitaire for the overnight stop in France. Am wondering if can do the test just before Eurotunnel?

anneyc · 22/01/2022 08:16

Same issue, we are driving too, how soon after doing the pcr/antgen test do you get the result? Better for us to do it as close to entering france as possible. Also, whats the benefit of doing a pcr test over the antigen test?

Thunderpunt · 22/01/2022 10:50

@anneyc i think antigen is LFT so pretty much instant result - PCR has to go to lab?
However I would hold fire on booking anything - apparently France are making announcement on 24th which might change things.

Thunderpunt · 22/01/2022 10:51

We would have preferred to stay in Germany but their restrictions/rules are even more confusing!

anneyc · 22/01/2022 11:34

@Thunderpunt ooh thanks for that info- what is your source if you don't mind me asking?

Thunderpunt · 22/01/2022 11:40

@anneyc airheart.com/travel-bans/from/united-kingdom this website has really good info, and you can direct message them requesting specific info, they respond quickly and supply sources to back up their answers. You might need to sign up to access the message system. Found them very helpful, and they were who told me about France review on 24th Jan

Roseau18 · 22/01/2022 11:58

I live in France and as far as I am aware there is no announcement planned for the 24th.
What is changing on the 24th is a move from à passe sanitaire to a passe vaccinale which means that for adults à négative test is no longer sufficent to get into cafés etc. For 12-15 year olds a négative test can still be user. 11 and under don't need anything.

notimagain · 22/01/2022 12:06

Interesting to see what if anything is announced.

FWIW France last changed UK> France just over a week ago, 14th Jan..

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

Domestically on the 24th we already know the Passé Sanitaire gets replaced by the Passé Vaccinal

Africa2go · 22/01/2022 12:11

There is speculation (on a few skiing websites) that since Switzerland relaxed their rules this week, France will follow suit. As always though, its just rumours.