Some good news for Francophiles hoping to hop across the Channel this spring: after dropping tests for vaccinated British arrivals last month, the French Government has today (March 14) dropped the requirement to flash a Covid pass to enter indoor establishments like bars, cafes and restaurants.
Families with young teenagers, in particular, will welcome the disappearance of the pass sanitaire. Until today, unvaccinated children aged 12 to 15 had to take a daily Covid test to go indoors, but this is no longer the case.
Likewise, the dropping of the pass vaccinal will open things up for unvaccinated adults aged 16 or older, who have been barred from going indoors in France (even with evidence of a negative test) since January this year, unless they have proof of recovery.
For everyone else, the removal of the pass vaccinal will make for a smoother trip, as it eradicates the chance of being denied entry to an establishment if you struggle to get the pass up on your phone (low battery or no signal, perhaps) and no printouts of your vaccine certificate.
In further loosening of Covid rules, France has today scrapped masks in many indoor spaces, meaning you can peruse the Louvre, explore Disneyland or take a window seat in a brasserie with your face unsheathed. Some rules still remain in place, including proof of full vaccination (or booster, if your second jab is more than nine months old) to enter the country, but France is certainly a more straightforward prospect from today.
The same cannot be said for some other destinations. Around the world, there are still a number of places where you must show evidence of full vaccination in order to step inside a restaurant or bar. These are some of the top holiday destinations clinging onto cumbersome Covid bureaucracy.
Italy
While Italy recently dropped its testing requirements for vaccinated arrivals, you still need to show evidence of vaccination (a ‘Super Green Pass’) to enter establishments in the country.
If your second jab was issued more than six months prior to travel, you will need to show evidence of a booster and/or recent recovery from Covid within 180 days. This means that teenagers aged 12 years and older will not be able to enter indoor establishments unless they have had two doses.
Greece
Proof of vaccination is still required for adults to enter indoor spaces in Greece, such as shops, restaurants (including outdoors) and museums. You will also need to don a face mask in all indoor and communal areas, including supermarkets and public transport, and it must either be a ‘double mask’ or a N95/FFP2 mask. Unvaccinated children (between the ages of four and 18) require a negative rapid test (taken in the previous 48 hours) to enter public spaces such as shops, restaurants (indoor and outdoor) and museums.
Peru
Britons over 12 will need to present evidence of full vaccination to enter indoor venues in Peru, and if over 18, evidence of a booster dose. Masks are still required outdoors, and you will need to wear two masks or a KN95 covering inside certain venues.
USA
Some parts of the United States still require proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative Covid-19 test to go indoors. In some states, like New York and California, it is down to the discretion of a business as to whether they demand mask or vaccination requirements.
Germany
Some German states require proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. The Foreign Office advises: “German states often require C-19 certification, such as proof of vaccination, recovery from infection or a negative test (up to 24hrs old for rapid antigen testing or 48 hrs old for PCR testing) will be required.” This applies to indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, hotels, and events.
Canada
Each Canadian province or territory determines whether they require proof of vaccination to enter indoor establishments like restaurants or attend sporting events. Some provinces have been scaling this back in recent weeks. On March 1, Ontario removed the requirement for establishments to check proof of vaccination, but individual businesses may choose to do so.
Australia
Australia may have reopened to British arrivals, but there are still social distancing measures and Covid pass requirements in place. In Queensland, for example, you must present evidence of vaccination at hospitality venues such as nightclubs, cafes, restaurants and pubs. These rules vary state by state, and you can check for the latest updates on the State and Territory websites.
New Zealand
The Foreign Office page for New Zealand says: “Under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, the fully vaccinated can expect greater freedoms in New Zealand.” You may need to show your vaccine pass to enter businesses and premises in the country. Further information is available on the New Zealand Ministry of Health website.