Starting from June 2, France will be reducing many of the travel restrictions that have been in place across the country, with the potential of reviewing border control with other EU countries in the coming weeks.
Travel within France
The most significant change in travel lockdown rules will be lifting limitations on the distance you can travel in France. From June 2, the 100km limit that had been in place will be removed, allowing people to travel across the country, away from the residential addresses.
However there are still calls to minimise movement and travel unless necessary, to minimise the chance of spreading the virus any further. The government has advised people to travel sensibly and with caution.
Public transport
Public transport had begun to see a gradual reopening across May after the initial phase of easing restrictions, with an increase in services in bus, underground and local train services. From the start of June, these should start to reach normal schedules, apart from in Ile-de-France, where the RATP will still be running at a limited schedule of 75%.
As people are still advised to work from home as much as possible, it is not expected that there will be a return to typical volumes of passengers any time soon however. Depending on local authorities, some public transport providers may still have limitations in place, such as limited use at certain times.
Long distance travelling trains will also see a resumption of a busier schedule, as the limit on distance travelling across the country is lifted. Reserving a seat ahead of time will be mandatory, and seat spacing will be enforced during travel.
Mask wearing requirements
Since the easing of restrictions on using public transport in May, wearing masks had been made a mandatory requirement, and continues to be in place. These must be either surgical masks or homemade masks made to Afnor guidelines, or general use washable masks.
Masks are required for all travellers over the ages of 11, and they can now be found widely available at many stores, pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as distributed for free by some local authorities.
International travel
France’s borders for international travel have remained closed throughout the lockdown, and despite the lifting of many other restrictions, movement outside of the country is still prohibited.
However borders with countries within the EU and the UK will be under review from June 15, and there may be some changes in restrictions here. Borders with countries outside the EU however are still likely to remain closed until further notice.
Despite these restrictions, there are still some conditions where international travel is permitted, such as for urgent family reasons, such as taking care of a child, or for front-line workers, who have an urgent need to travel outside of the country.
As international travel has still not had any changes in restrictions, the possibility of quarantine for travellers coming into France from overseas is still under review, and there may be further developments in this once some borders start to be eased.
