France to Require Even Vaxxed Travelers from US to have negative test as of Sat 12/4

So they have specified that it is 48 hours from the start of the trip, not from arrival in France?? That will make things a lot easier.

I am assuming that since Brexit and that UK is outside the EU that will trigger a test requirement. The London PCR tests I am seeing are close to a 48 hour turnaround. Which cuts it close

*we are in London Dec 15-19 and then training to France

The regulations (in French) are here:

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000044394836

Yes, what I wrote is basically a translation of the regulations, figuring that most people on the Forum don't read French legalese.

I am assuming that since Brexit and that UK is outside the EU that will trigger a test requirement

Yep, that's why I wrote “travelers from the U.S. and U.K.” . . .

I believe the "N" protein is nucleocapsid protein, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

The different tests will have information on what they are testing for in the fine print. For example Abbott BinaxNow tests for nucleocapsid. Did a quick google search.

From the FDA site: "TheBinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card is a lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative
detection of nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2"

Edit: just to clarify, I did not mean to suggest that one takes the Binax Test for travel, but just using it as an example of a test that tests for the "N" protein.

It is useless to discuss an American at-home test for going TO France unless or until the French government specifically approves an at-home test.
The French do their tests in labs, pharmacies, and testing centers.
Until you hear specifically that a test you do yourself over the computer is accepted, you can forget about it. The only people in France using this are American tourists who are testing to go home.

Thanks, Kim!

To others traveling: I would have gone for a PCR test also except I leave home @ 12:30 tonight (in the morning) and since we just found out yesterday, I had to be satisfied with a hospital administered antigen test done today. Just got my results and the paper clearly says “ ‘This test’ is used for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antigen.”

I then googled and found a scientific paper clarifying the shortening of the above to “N protein” in their abstract definitions.

So while I would still do a PCR given a choice, I am happy enough with this to head for the airport soon.

Well…the only choice open to me would be the Abbott ID Now test which is also a NAAT Molecular test.

All of the PCR tests say 72 hours with a caution that it can take longer up to 5 days….it’s a non starter at 72 hours is not offered here at a pharmacy or clinic

Binax to my knowledge is not offered here in pharmacies….

Hi! I’m in Texas as well. From what I can tell from looking at a few websites, Walgreens offers the ID Now NAAT test, results within 24 hours. CVS offers an antigen test, which I think is Binax Now. With that also being sold OTC, I wonder if French officials would be more likely to question the results. CVS also offers rapid PCR tests within hours at select locations. Do you think the NAAT might be questioned if the paperwork doesn’t say PCR?

Stephanie….if I’m not mistaken the Lab PCR is also a NAAT test

Travelmom — oh absolutely. You did it properly. Thank goodness you had been preparing !

My 23 year old son received the Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine this spring. We are (hopefully!) traveling to Paris on Christmas Day. We will return January 2nd. Every member of my family has a passe sanitiare, received just before the on-line system shut down!

Is my son required to have a booster in order to enter France? Other members of the family had Moderna or Pfizer.

Thanks!

No, your son is fine (according to current rules) with his Johnson & Johnson vaccine — France recognizes it.

However as a practical and personal matter, if his shot is that long ago — back in the Spring — I would really encourage him to get a booster with the way things are raging these days.

Kim,

Thank you!

I think my son is going to wait for the boosters to be tweaked for whatever the current variant is. He had Covid in January at college, had the J&J shot last spring, and still has a very robust level of antibodies response according to a recent test.

Covid is definitely making travel more complicated!

they are saying here that while they could tweak the vaccine it would take at least 100 days and they aren't planning on doing that yet

I read yesterday that J&J recipients will need a booster starting December 15.

We are not traveling until September 2022, so we will have to wait and see how it works out. I guess I was hoping Rick Steves would send us a notification on Covid testing requirements prior to our tour. Since we doing the BOE and visiting several countries it could be pretty confusing.

Just to correct the information I gave Jackie Brown earlier, Jill Thaxton is right in that the French indeed ARE going to require, as of December 15, a booster for anyone who has had only the Johnson & Johnson shot.

I will PM Jackie with the info, but wanted to put it here for anyone else reading the thread.