Anyone else going in August?

I posted this elsewhere as well, but I'll put it here too as it's important info.

My research indicates that this has clearly been considered.
Here's the specific language:
Is It Possible That the Vaccina Passports Can Soon Be Issued to Travellers From Third Countries?

As the Member States reopen the borders for travel from non-EU countries for non-essential purposes, they also intend to issue EU COVID travel certificates to travellers from third countries intending to enter their territory.

Here's the website: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/all-details-on-eu-covid-19-passport-revealed-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Thanks, Valerie--that's really good information to have here. I've seen that as well and it makes me hopeful that it will be sorted out, just wish there was some information on how and when they'll be rolling that out for non-EU citizens.

I'm traveling about that time, as well. I'm not even sure I understand Valerie's link. So my country (U.S.) is supposed to issue me a vaccine passport? So is that my CDC card?

The QR code seems to be quite similar to what Hawaii has been using for it's Safe Travels Program.

My understanding from this statement: As the Member States reopen the borders for travel from non-EU countries for non-essential purposes, they also intend to issue EU COVID travel certificates to travellers from third countries intending to enter their territory.

is that the "they" in the second half of the sentence is referring to the EU Member State. Meaning, for example, France, Italy or Spain etc. also tends to issue EU Covid travel certificates to travellers from other countires intending to enter their territory. I just have not as yet seen any information on how or when that will actually happen.

Rachael, I think you are correct. I missed "destination" country

I interpret it the same way Rachael does. Let's hope we get more details on it in the coming weeks.

What I heard on the radio yesterday, was that people vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines will be able to bypass restrictions thanks to a certificate just like local citizens. As all vaccines used in the US are EU-approved, this is encouraging. However, you will have to wait for the implementation details... Nobody seems to know how this will be enforced on the ground, or how such certificate can be obtained.

Thank you, balso. Definitely encouraging!

Thought folks might be interested in this email I received from the Eiffel Tower this morning:

Bonjour,

Thank you for choosing to visit the Eiffel Tower !

In order to enjoy your visit freely and safely, from 21st July 2021 the access to the Eiffel Tower will required the presentation of a valid EU COVID Certificate.

This certificate, which was harmonized on a european scale, is required for adults and children from 12 years old for now (likely to change according to government announcements). The certificate must be presented along with a valid proof of identity.

The presentation of the European Union COVID Certificate showing a valid QR code will be possible on paper or on a digital format.

You are eligible for a valid EU COVID Certificate when :

I / you have benefited from a complete vaccination schedule, either:
• 2 weeks after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca)
• 4 weeks after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson from Janssen)
• 2 weeks after the injection for vaccines in people with a history of Covid (1 single injection)

II / You have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours.
The deadlines in force for the validity of the tests are strict when entering the Eiffel Tower site (no flexibility for 2 or 3 days).

III / You have the result of a positive RT-PCR or antigen test attesting to recovery from Covid-19, dating from at least 11 days and less than 6 months.

Do not hesitate to contact our customer service teams who are at your disposal by email ([email protected]), by phone (+339 69 36 27 07) as well as on Facebook Messenger (https://www.facebook.com/TourEiffel/).

We thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you soon to the Eiffel Tower.

I was planning to go at the end of August/ early September. But based on the announcements in the past week with the pass being required and there’s no way for an American to get one I may cancel

The Eiffel Tower email above is what I’m worried about. (Not that I’m planning to visit there). Having to Covid test every 48 hours may be problematic as I assume there will be a lot of us in the same situation

I'm currently scheduled to be in France August 22-29. I am hoping to get more information sometime next week, since it seems like some places (like the Eiffel Tower) are putting the restriction in place as of July 21. But I'm with you--I'll likely cancel if there isn't more information within a week or two. That being said, the first two-thirds of our trip are in Italy and they are also considering making the "green pass" mandatory for most places. Sigh.

Thanks, Rachael for updating with the info you received from ET. Definitely a shifting landscape related to showing "proof" -

Since the Eiffel Tower can be fined up to 45,000€ if they *don’t * ensure that people comply with the directive to show a health pass, yes, I think it’s quite possible that they will turn folks away.

Just like my friend with her CDC card got turned away from Roland Garros last month.

Sharing this post from a TripAdvisor thread on the same topic. I have an email out to the consulate here in Seattle as well and I think I am also going to give things until the end of next week.

"I emailed the French Consultate in San Fransico to ask if France will accept the paper CDC card with no QR code at museums, cafes, etc. Here is the reply. We are supposed to leave at the beginnig of August for a three week vacation in France. We'll wait a week or so and then pull the plug if this does not change.

Hello Madam,

not at the moment, but a solution is under study for the next weeks. Please check out our website regularly for more informations on the subject.

Bien à vous,

Chancellerie consulaire

CGF San Francisco"

Update: this is the response I got from the consulate when I asked about Americans using their CDC cards.

Hello,

a solution is under study for non-EU citizens to be able to apply for a sanitary pass. It should be available in the next few weeks.

Best regards,

Chancellerie consulaire
CGF San Francisco

I then responded "Thank you. What will tourists do in the meantime since this is required starting next week?"

They said: "In the meantime you have to have tour CDC vaccination card."

I then asked "Thank you, so just to confirm 100% the CDC card will be accepted at restaurants, trains etc.?"

And got the answer: "yes, until a new solution is found."

So... that seems more positive?

Thanks for sharing this, Rachel! ( I wrote the post from Trip Advisor you shared here). It seems like a different response than what I received even though it was same person replying. I’m sure the French are as confused as we are about how it will be implemented. Encouraging news though.

Edited to add:

I emailed the consulate again.

Thank you again. Just to confirm: France will NOT accept American vaccine CDC cards with no QR code at cafes, monuments, museums? How will we be able to visit places France?

Here was the reply:
Sorry, yes you can use your CDC card for the time being, but no you can't have a sanitary pass for now. In august you will be able to get a sanitary pass (or something equivalent) so you won't have to use your CDC card.
Best,
Bien à vous,
Chancellerie consulaire
CGF San Francisco

Very encouraging news!

My 13 year old daughter and I are leaving next Thursday (July 22) for a week in Arles and Cassis. I can let you all know how it goes. We are vaccinated (and have had COVID), getting COVID tests before we go, and will get one before we return. Lots of unknowns but we are taking a chance.

Amy, nice to see you over here as well :) Thanks for sharing that! That's positive. Are you planning to move forward with your trip in that case?

loraburke, definitely interested in your experience on the ground! Best of luck and safe travels.

@Rachel - Good question! I'm not sure yet. I would feel much more comfortable if the French government released an official statement about accepting the CDC vaccination cards until they figure out how non-EU tourists can get the digital pass. We plan to be in France for three weeks and it's not feasible for us to get a antigen covid test every 2 days in order to eat at restaurants or visit museums, monuments etc. We are scheduled to leave the first week of August so we have some time before we need to make a decision on whether to cancel or not. Again, hoping for some communication by the French government soon. Thankfully, our financial loss would be minimal if we have to cancel - just a few timed-entry tickets to museums I already purchased, train tickets to Amboise, and the cost of travel insurance premium (ironically). We had to cancel a trip to France in 2020 (as well as a trip to Japan) and I knew the risk when I started planning for this trip as well.

Traveling to Paris at the end of August and hoping to attend an indoor concert. Will this be possible with out EU proof of vaccination? I have my American vaccination card.

Traveling to France in the second week of August and really hope they'll figure out a way to get the health pass for vaccinated Americans...

We're in Paris right now and believe me nothing like what I read is happening. There is no EU Covid Certifificate. We are going every where we ever went to before and no one has ask for anything. I think people are fed information that just is not true. Becen here since Thursday out of Chicago and my CDC card was looked at once at the AA desk in Chicago. That is it. Period

That's because it's not in effect yet, TravelLady.

You are mixing up the CDC card verification to board the plane and the QR code issued by the Sécurité Sociale health services that goes into effect in two stages, first this coming week on the 21st and second on August 1st.

Wrote what is happening in Paris right now. I just standby what I see.

Bets is correct. What is happening today will change in about 4 days on the 21st.

I am leaving for France in a week :) There might be hiccups, who knows. I have emailed all the museums, train company, all the tour guides that I have hired and I am feeling confident that I can have a nice trip, that being said I am prepared for bumps in the road during this trip. I have lumped the two places together that would not give me a solid yes on my CDC card acceptance (I will buy a take home Covid test that takes 15 minutes to process and upload results to my phone) and keep it in my purse and if my CDC card isn't accepted I will take the test on the spot. I have made contingency itinerary plans for activities that don't require admittance like Les Passages Couverts, public gardens, and the cemetery incase the rules of France change. I am hoping to have a marvelous first trip to France :) I hope that you do too! One of my tour guides emailed me and said that France is the most quiet she has ever seen and that she thinks I will love it.

Great attitude Dawn. Can you update your post on what you find. There is another thread on this site where some are having success with pharmacies uploading the vaccine info on to the French app. It can be done if you find the right pharmacist but also in the same thread folks are posting that they are not having problems with using their cdc cards. So good luck! Things are changing everyday so update is if you can.

I’m resurrecting this thread to (sadly) report our family has cancelled our three week trip to France in August. I was really hoping we could travel this year (we are all vaccinated) but restrictions in France — and elsewhere— are headed in the wrong direction and changing quickly. There is too much uncertainty right now for our comfort. I am disappointed and angry.

I’m so sorry, Amy. I’m angry, too. Had there been better compliance in masks and vaccines, we would all be so much better off, now.

We have tickets the 2nd half of August. We're hoping things get cleared up. If not, we'll adapt. My fear is that the borders will be closed again, if the US gets removed from the "green" list

Thanks, Jules. It really is infuriating.

So sorry, Amy!! Was there something that changed over the last couple days that was the final straw for you?

There seems to be so much confusion and red tape which might discourage some from going. We have many reasons to go and so fly out on Saturday for two weeks in Brittany and Paris. We're hopeful that in Brittany restaurants and museums will be good with the CDC cards. And by the time we get back to Paris, the CDC-conversion to AntiCovid app will be official.

We’re leaving Saturday, we’re taking our chances and are prepared to picnic and admire the architecture from the outside. As much as I’d like to do our trip as initially planned, we’re unable to cancel at this points do so we’ll make the best out of the situation.

Looks like Paul was able to sort it out - Here's the link.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/france-health-pass-for-americans-success

Sadly adding my name to those that are pulling the plug on France this year. Just too much uncertainty for me (and mostly for my mom, who has never been to Europe so is a little more risk-averse!)