Coronavirus

Will facemasks return to hospitals across France amid Covid rise?

Following the reintroduction of masks in two hospitals in the south west, questions are being asked about whether others will follow suit

‘Eighth wave of Covid imminent in France’ says health ministry

Cases have risen 55.5% over the past seven days, figures show, with the incidence level rising especially quickly among children aged 10 and under

Covid France: seventh wave ebbs but public urged to remain cautious

Hospitalisations are also falling slowly, but in some regions critical care admissions continue to increase. Eligible groups are encouraged to get their second booster

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Solidarity a side-effect of France's Covid-19 crisis

Where you can look for local help as a 'wave of good neighbourly actions grows into a tsunami of solidarity'

Covid-19: If self-isolation how do we get food?

My wife and I live in the Gers and have no-one locally who could shop for us if self-isolation is enforced or required. What are we able to do in order to feed ourselves if we are forced into isolation?

Covid-19: Second home owners and prescriptions

We are at our second home in France (Covid-19 confinement started when we were here) and have decided not to travel but we risk running out of our usual medication and we are not signed up with a French GP. What can we do?

Your questions: Covid-19 France hotline replies

Must we put time as well as date on confinement forms? Can we drive people to airport? Can we use a Drive supermarket which is 12km away when we have a food shop 1km away? What about expiring contrôle technique ?

Taking rubbish to collective bins during confinement

We live in a small village and do not have a household rubbish collection service. We have to take our rubbish to the déchetterie about one kilometre away. There is not a section on the form which covers this task. The local gendarmerie are fining people for going out without a reason listed in the form. I sent an email to our mairie , local councillor, the local gendarmes , and the main prefecture, no answer. Several neighbours are in the same situation. Can you help?

Financial aid for gîte and chambre d’hôtes owners

I'm self-employed renting my chalet in the Alps but now have no income and no prospect of any bookings being made for at least the next three months. I'm counted as a micro-bic, not auto-entrepeneur or other. Is there any financial aid available for me? If people cancel their bookings, can we claim back our lost income from the government or are we entitled to compensation from the tourist board?

Covid-19: Contrôle technique extension

Reader question: I took my car for its CT ( contrôle technique ) before lockdown and it failed the test. It left me the usual two months to get work done but are garages open? Are the big car spare parts places open? If I can’t obtain replacements needed in two months, can I have an extension?

How to pay chèque emploi service universel employees

I have a regular cleaner, who comes three hours per week, and whom I pay via the chèque emploi service universel (Cesu) system. She has informed me that she can't come until the confinement ends. How should I pay her for the next few weeks?

Have French mortgages been suspended?

In the UK mortages are being suspended for three months - is France doing the same?

Covid-19: Can gardeners continue to work?

My husband and I are registered gardeners and work alone. Are we allowed to work or is it deemed non-essential?

Covid-19: Divorce and joint custody of children

A friend who is separated and in the process of divorcing her husband has an eight year old daughter. As part of the court ruling on separation she is domiciled with her mother but her mother is required to take her 40km away to an airport to, either hand her over to her father or put her on a plane as an unaccompanied child to the other side of the country, depending on where the father is at the time, for all school holidays except summer which is split. Has this court judgement been overtaken by the Covid-19 regulations? Does she have the right to keep the child with her during the Easter break?

Covid-19 in France: Pool and garden help

Reader question: Can we ask our pool maintenance man to come and get our pool running?

Covid-19 and property sales in France

Reader question: I recently decided to downsize and signed a promesse de vente to sell my apartment on March 4, 2020. The buyers proposed a final date of May 15 and I agreed as I had been told about the coming availability of an apartment apparently fulfilling my requirements. However the apartment was not to my liking and with the shutdown of estate agents and removal companies (including storage), I am worried about finding myself homeless if I am obliged to move on May 15. With the lockdown I cannot even visit potential new apartments. I have emailed the notaire's office which handled the promesse de vente asking for an extension but have not received a reply. I have not seen any information on situations such as mine. I am 77 and live alone, with no family in France and thus I have no help in finding a new apartment or trying to arrange a move. Should an extension be refused do I have the right to cancel the sale altogether?

Covid-19: Can we travel through France to our home?

We have waited for the lockdown to end staying put in the south of France where we were when it began but now want to get back to our full-time residence in Brittany. It will take us one long day to return but we are not sure if we can travel. I have emailed our local mayor's office but no reply. Can you clarify?

Can friend return home to France from US?

Reader question: My friend is a French resident but was visiting family in America when the lockdown began. She would like to book a flight back to France after May 11. I know she will need the new attestation but I am not clear if she can come from America to France and whether she will be kept in quarantine or not. Also, if she finds an affordable flight before May 11, do your answers to the above apply?

For what reason can travel France-UK happen?

Readers' questions: We have a sick relative in the UK. If we need to go back quickly, for example, next week are there flights?

Covid-19: Do I have to pay if I call a doctor?

Reader question: You advise calling our doctor for medical advice... Is this covered by the usual healthcare system or is it a paying service?

Covid-19 in France and gardening rules

Reader question: I have received an email from our mayor saying we can only garden for an hour a day. I can’t find this as a new law. Can you explain?

What transport is operating UK-France?

Reader question: What transport can I use to travel between France and the UK?

Covid-19 France: cycling for exercise

I have two small questions about confinement: 1. I understand the ban on competitive or sporting cycling, but can I use my bike for exercise as long as I keep to a 1km limit from my home? 2. Can a couple both go in a car to the shops, but only one does the shopping and the other stays in the car?

Covid-19 France: can gardener work at second home?

Reader question: I saw a Connexion website post about gardeners working in France (possibly they are) but my gardener says he is not allowed to cut the grass at our holiday home in Brittany because we don't live there permanently. We are happy for him to do it and give him some income. Is this correct?

Covid-19 France: Death and virus case figures

Reader question: I have not seen any reporting on the fact that on March 23, France stopped reporting cumulative numbers of cases and cumulative numbers of deaths. They are reporting daily numbers of people in the hospital (but not confirmed cases at home) and daily deaths, but not cumulative figures. I find this really troublesome and not consistent with western democratic ideals — it’s something you’d expect to see from Russia or North Korea, not France. I’d be interested to see someone look into this.

Covid-19 France: Can I use bottle bank?

Am I allowed to offload all of my empty jars and bottles at the bottle bank?

Irish ambassador to France: Covid-19 Q&A

The Irish Ambassador to France, Patricia O’Brien has answered questions from readers about Covid-19 and Irish citizens and France. She tells Connexion that she hopes “we will pull through this difficult time together and that the summer, real and metaphorical, is within reach.” The questions cover travel and healthcare.

Covid-19 France: How far can I travel to shop?

Do I have to shop at my nearest supermarket or can I travel further afield? Is there a kilometre limit set for travel for shopping? I need to travel about 11km to get specialist dog food, is this possible under the current rules?

Moving to new home during lockdown in France

Reader question: We bought a house in France on April 6 (via power of attorney) and believe we have the right to move for two reasons: 1) Our lease expired in our rented property on April 7 and 2) Our new home is empty and unsecured.

UK-France travel abroad after May 11

I am British, have a British passport and a carte de séjour permanent currently valid for the next ten years (until the Brexit rules change). I am quite alone here, all my family being in the UK. Can I obtain a derogation to travel to the UK to see my family even though French nationals are not allowed to travel outside France for the moment? I would like to do this in August.

Covid-19 France: who are the 'elderly and vulnerable'?

I hear d th at President Macron spoke about the vulnerable and the elderly and deconfinement. H as an age been mentioned to define elderly in this context – and what is meant by ‘vulnerable’?

Aid for gîte owners: pension issues

Reader question: Is it correct that the €1,500 help for gîtes and small businesses is not available for anyone who receives a pension? All our booked gîte guests have cancelled but my husband receives a UK state pension and I receive a small UK private pension, and our seasonal gîte income is very important to us.

Covid-19 France: crossing borders to take dog to vet

Can I cross France-Germany border to take dog to vet?

Can we do renovation work away from home?

Reader question: We have a renovation project house in a village 10km away from our home. We haven't been there since lockdown but really need to get back working on it. We wouldn't come into contact with anybody else, so would this be allowed?

Can I still wear home-made mask in France?

Reader question: Can I still wear my home-made mask now that 'official' ones are on sale in pharmacies and supermarkets?

Two in a car: allowed or not?

Your recent e-newsletter contained an article dated 20/04 which states that a couple cannot go out in a car together. On the government website to which you show the link it states "Le covoiturage est possible pour effectuer les déplacements autorisés. Chaque passager du véhicule doit être muni d’une attestation, ou d’un justificatif de déplacement professionnel, en règle." This seems to be a contradiction. Could you clarify?

Can we play golf from May 11 in France?

Reader question: As you can walk, run or cycle from May 11 can you play golf as it is possible to do so and keep social distancing?

Travel to France from UK for funeral

Is it possible to travel to France from UK for a father’s funeral?

Covid-19: Can we travel to our second home in France?

Can we travel from Britain to our property in France now the lockdown has eased? We really want to visit.

Covid-19 France: Can we meet up with friends?

Can we meet up with friends?

Covid-19 France: Who can receive CAF exceptional aid?

The government is providing one-off financial aid to help low-income households which will be paid out automatically on May 15.

UK quarantine: what if only visiting for a few days?

Reader question: We have read about the obligatory 14-day self-isolation period in the UK which is to start on June 8. What happens about shorter trips? Can we still go if we're only staying for three days and then returning to France?

Covid-19 France and proof of address when out

Is it correct that for every trip out now I must carry proof of my address?

When is it obligatory to wear a mask in France?

France has not generally made mask wearing obligatory in public spaces – however there are places where it is mandatory. We explain.

Truck drivers and UK-France quarantine

Are truck drivers also subject to the quarantine measures?

Do I have to quarantine if I go to France?

If you are travelling from the UK by ferry, air, train or car transport to mainland France, you are invited by the French government to go into voluntary quarantine. There will be no checks or fines if you don't.

When will campsites open in France?

Reader question: Will campsites also open on June 2 in France? We live in France and are keen to organise our usual camping holiday.

France voluntary quarantine rules on trips less than 14 days

What happens with the voluntary quarantine in France if I am only coming for a few days from the UK?

Masks: What are rules for beaches and campsites in France?

Do I need to wear a mask at the beach or at an outdoor pool at a campsite in France?

Are all public swimming pools now open in France?

Yes, swimming pools are now fully able to open in France.

Travel to France and connection in another country

I am a UK national currently living in Australia and would like to travel directly to France. My flight has a connecting flight in Abu Dhabi. Will I be able to enter the country? And do I have to go into voluntary quarantine?

Coronavirus: Can UK friends stay with me at my holiday home?

I will be coming to my holiday home in France from the UK in mid July. Can I have friends (also from the UK) to stay for three days? If so, what are the restrictions?

Can American citizens living in UK travel to France?

Does anyone know for certain if and when Americans resident in the UK/Channel Islands will be allowed to travel to France?

Coronavirus: What restrictions for funerals in France?

What is the current situation with attending funerals in France? How many people are allowed and are there any other restrictions?

France-UK quarantine: how would my insurance be affected?

If I booked and came to France for a holiday and then the UK imposes a quarantine rule on France or advises against travelling to the country, will my travel insurance still be valid?

La rentrée: will the French state provide masks for my kids?

My two kids, aged 13 and 15, are set to go back to school on September 1 and I have been told they will need to wear masks. Will these be provided or do I have to pay?

Can I still get financial aid to cover coronavirus losses?

I am working self-employed in France and my business has been affected by coronavirus. Am I still eligible for government support to cover financial losses?

Do UK quarantine measures apply to Eurotunnel travel?

I am going on holiday to Germany next week and I plan to drive back to the UK through France, via the channel tunnel. Will I need to quarantine on return to the UK?

Free masks in France: Who is eligible?

Reader question: I have heard that some people have received masks for free from the French government and I was wondering who was eligible for that and how to get one?

Tour de France: How close can I get to the race?

Reader question: The director of the Tour de France has tested positive for Covid-19 but the race is still on and is going to pass through my area, how close can I get if I go to watch it?

Is France still on the UK's quarantine list?

Reader question: With the number of coronavirus cases increasing in the UK at the moment, I wondered if France was still considered unsafe and is still on the UK’s quarantine list?

Should I wash my fabric face mask at 60 degrees?

Reader question: How often should I wash my reusable mask and is it true that I have to wash it at 60 degrees?

Can I visit the UK from France for less than 14 days?

Reader question: I live in France but want to go to the UK for a week or so to visit family. Is it possible to do this as we are expected to quarantine for at least two weeks?

Can I go to the gym or sports centre in my French town?

Reader question: I saw that gyms and sports halls are now closed in parts of France and I wanted to know where, what the rules are and when they will be open again?

Will new Paris restrictions affect travelling to France?

All bars and some restaurants in France’s capital and surrounding departments will close today in line with new coronavirus-related restrictions.

Which departments in France are low risk for coronavirus?

Reader question: I see a lot of news about France’s high alert zones, but I want to know which areas of the country are the safest to visit?

How do I find out the Covid measures where I live in France?

President Emmanuel Macron has called for “more restrictions” to fight coronavirus, while Lille, Grenoble, Saint-Étienne and Lyon may all soon be placed in the maximum alert zone

Covid-19: What happens to data I give to Paris restaurants?

Anyone dining out in Paris or other maximum alert zones in France now have to provide their contact information, sometimes handwritten in a notebook.

Can I travel from France to US for Christmas?

The US State Department put France on an amber travel alert in August

Do I need a Covid test to travel to France?

Some people travelling to France’s overseas territories have reportedly been faking negative Covid-19 tests in order to fly

Would a second France lockdown be the same as the first?

It is possible that a second confinement will be announced tonight, but it could be more flexible with schools and public services remaining open

How is France's new Covid app different from old one?

The old version only attracted around 2 million users and was deemed by the president to not have worked

France lockdown: Can I visit my husband in hospital?

Hospital visits are permitted in some circumstances. Check with the hospital before going there in person.

France lockdown: Can we book a ferry and drive to the port?

Short answer: Yes, but you will need to ensure you have the right paperwork. We explain

France lockdown: Can I move home from the UK to France?

Yes, if you are moving to what will become your main residence. You must have the right paperwork and follow Covid-19 guidelines in both countries