France to Open to Vaccinated Travelers on June 9

Prior to the pandemic, France was the most-visited country in the world. But the majority of travelers have been unable to get their Beaux-Arts, Parisian café, and croissant fix for more than a year now due to a ban on most international arrivals intended to help contain the pandemic. That will soon change, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron unveiled a detailed road map for how the country plans to emerge from its current lockdown and begin relaxing restrictions. The plan includes allowing foreign tourists with a “health pass” to visit France again starting June 9, Reuters and other news outlets have reported.

Starting May 19, France’s nightly curfew will begin at 9 p.m., versus the current start time of 7 p.m. On June 9, it will be pushed to 11 p.m., and it will be scrapped entirely on June 30, Reuters reported. Bars and restaurants will be able to offer outside service, and museums, cinemas, and theaters will be able to reopen on May 19 as well.

The timetable is contingent on the epidemiological situation continuing to improve in France. The country’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases fell to 27,266 on Wednesday, compared to a seven-day average of approximately 42,000 new infections just two weeks prior. France has reported a total of 5.63 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic and 104,077 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 dashboard.

France entered its third national lockdown earlier this month. Citizens have been asked to stay within six miles of their home unless participating in certain approved activities (such as physical exercise, commuting to and from work, and medical appointments) and to avoid gatherings. Bars, restaurants, and museums have been closed since the start of the month.

Source: France to Open to Vaccinated Travelers on June 9 (msn.com)