American CDC card

The Feb 12 ruling has nothing to do with the Pass Sanitaire -- or now the Pass Vaccinal. It is about entry to the country; the CDC card showing the booster is all you need for entry. But once in France you need the Vaccinal to go to restaurants, museums etc.. They are talking about maybe dropping that requirement at some point -- I have heard end of February or end of March -- but so far have not to my knowledge done so.

Before the passes were easily acquired, many places accepted the CDC card. Now that they are easy to get, I would assume that venues will require them. There is 'no excuse' for not having one. You could always try and see how it goes and then go get one if it is rejected places you want to go.

Ours have expired but if the requirement is still there when we get to France this spring we will go get them renewed -- which costs 36 Euro each.

Janet's correct — the change on Feb 12 has to do with the requirements for entering France.

The passe sanitaire — now passe vaccinal — has to do with being able to do things once you are in France; I.e. going into restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, taking long-distance trains etc.

So indeed, you will need to take your CDC cards to a pharmacy when you get here and get a QR code that serves as a passe vaccinal. Once you have that, you show it to gain entry to places.

If you want to get a step ahead, you can go ahead and download the app “Tous AntiCovid” to your phone now. Once you receive your printed-out QR code from the pharmacist, you can scan it into the app.

And to add to Kim's comment, you CAN use a paper copy of the QR code. We plan for our granddaughter to do that this spring since she doesn't have a smart phone and I don't think we can have two aps on our own phones.

This is great news about no need for neg test prior to traveling from US to France if fully vaccinated. We plan to be in France for a couple of weeks in May. We are starting off in Paris and it appears that there are plenty of pharmacies to get the Passe Sanitaire (or whatever it is currently called). Has anyone had a recent experience obtaining the passe and if so, is an appointment necessary? How long does it normally take if you have all necessary documentation? Thank you in advance. We are so excited to return to one of our favorite places on the planet!

Things are looking better and better! I just read in The Local (published 11 February 2022) that as of February 2 it is no longer necessary to wear a face mask outside in Paris (with, I believe the exception of outdoor markets). The article then went on to say that "masks are currently required in busy places such as outdoor markets, bus stops and cues." It goes on to say "Nationwide, masks are still required in all indoor spaces, including on public transport...,"And something about not require masks in restaurants/bars/cafés starting sometime this month (February). Does it mean that all I need is my vaccine pass to pretty much do everything I want to do in Paris (restaurant/bar/cafés/museums/outdoor markets)? That's what it seems to mean but, after all this time I can hardly believe it!

Do the pharmacies take a credit card for payment or do you need cash to get vaccine pass?

All that has changed in reference to masks is that they are not now mandatory outdoors. Indoor requirements are the same.

Pharmacies accept credit cards as payment for anything.

Is a second booster now required as France is stating boosters are only valid for 4 months? Do I need a second booster to enter France and visit places once I arrive? I got my booster in November and travel to Paris end of March. I do not think the U.S. is giving second boosters yet so I don’t know how I’d meet that requirement.
Thank you

I don't believe the requirement is a booster every 4 mos -- but that you need one if you are French after 4 months after your second shot -- as a foreigner arriving I believe you. just need to have had a booster. And yes there is a lot of confusion out there but that is what I am relying on for my April trip -- my booster was in September and I don't think I will be able to get another before April.

During one segment of the news on France 2 this evening, several people-on-the-street who were interviewed mentioned the end of all Passes around April 1st. No, this isn't an April fool's.
My sil in Austria mentioned the end of their pass, too.

Any inkling Kerouac2, Kim, balso?

Bets -- I have mixed feelings about them dropping the passes April 1. Yes it is nice becasue then we don't have to mess with it on our trip but on the other hand, I felt a lot safer knowing everyone at the opera or the restaurant or museum was vaccinated. And on the third hand -- it will save us over a hundred Euro if we don't have to get the passes.

Indeed, the government spokesman said this week that they may lift the requirement at end of March/early April.

A cynic might say that this is positioned to make the public grateful as the presidential election comes into play.

I'd be cynical with the first round voting a week later, but my SIL said this was happening in Vienna, too. Furthermore, two weeks ago, the WHO said Europe was entering a "ceasefire" with the pandemic due to the high vaccination rates. They wouldn't use the word end, but chose caution in using ceasefire.

The question remains if it will flare up again in November. I've said all along that the travel window is April to November.