Confusion about PCR tests/health pass on leaving Ireland.

drunkymonkey

Hi All,

Looking for some clarity before we fly on the 13th so we don't run into any snags if anyone can offer info it would be appreciated as we are getting contradictions from online and from the DFA & Travel agency. (they don't even seem sure!)

My family : myself (triple vaccinated, 2nd dose taken in Aug), partner (triple vaccinated, 2nd dose taken July), 14 year old (double vaccinated, 2nd dose taken Oct) and a 5 year old.

We are travelling to Paris from the 13th to the 17th January and hoping to dine in restaurants, etc.

I am aware that we need to be vaccinated and complete a sworn declaration for exiting Ireland bound for France and on return we need to get a PCR test and complete a passenger location form to go back to Ireland.

Where the concern lies is that my partner believes she may need to get a negative PCR test leaving Ireland as she had her second dose so early in July 2022 (DFA confirmed that the booster will not be reflected on our Covid certs for some time) so that she can dine in France giving the new rules that are coming in on the 15th **, is this the case? The DFA mentioned that a Health pass for dining may be required in this case but couldn't tell anymore than this.

** From 15th January 2022 for entry into France and Disneyland Paris all adults between the ages of 18 and 65 must have received a booster dose NO LATER THAN 7 MONTHS AFTER their last injection to ensure their COVID certificate remains valid after this date. Beyond 7 months, the pass is deactivated and will not become valid again until 7 days after the injection of the booster dose. In this case you will need a negative PCR test within 24 hours before arrival into France

Follow up question, if we can travel freely within the EU once we are vaccinated why is there this 'chaos' and significant queues at the airport PCR test centres, are all these people travelling outside the EU or are unvaccinated?

k123456

It isnt the responsibility of a travel agent to brief us on regulations.

https://reopen.europa.eu/en

and/or

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/

Well obviously we cant travel freely within the EU at the moment.

Every country has their own rules, perhaps the French embassy could send you official links?

bungaro79

We're heading to Eurodisney and Paris in a few months so I'll be interested to see how ye got on. Our situation is similar but 3 of our 4 have had Covid since our 2nd vaccination.

I didn't read anywhere about having to do a sworn declaration. Below is what I'm going on from the Re-open EU website

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Mandatory travel documentation

All travellers entering France must present a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 24 or 48 hours depending on the country of origin.

Exception: people with a complete vaccination schedule do not have to take a test when they arrive from a Member State of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland.

fdevine

Entry into France is not restricted by not having received a booster jab, and in any case, until this week the booster was not showing up on the EU cert. EU cert is valid for travel.

While we weren't asked to present our sworn statements it is a requirement for everyone to have one, signed & dated.

We are just back from DLP & can confirm that those without a booster jab will experience problems. Our Jansen vaccinated son had received his booster two weeks prior to travelling but his EU cert scanned as invalid/expired. DLP staff accepted booster card without question but we would have had to get a test for him otherwise.

From 15th January, as far as I understand it, a booster jab will be required for a Pass Sanitaire/Health Pass which is required for bars, restaurants, theme parks etc. Up to now you could be unvaccinated and get a test to obtain a health pass valid for 24 hours. From 15th it essentially becomes a vaccination pass

bungaro79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118434144#Comment_118434144

Thanks for the update there fdevine. So there was no covid antigen or pcr test needed so when you landed in France? Myself and my wife will have our boosters well in advance of our trip and our girls are 4 and 7 so I think under 12s are ok for travelling.

fdevine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118436093#Comment_118436093

No tests or proof of tests required on entry to France. Weren't asked for sworn statements either but they're no hassle to do unlike the PLF coming home. EU certs are scanned before security at DLP and as you and your OH will be boosted you won't have any issues. Under 12s, as you say, are exempt but as things stand at the moment anyone over 6 has to wear a mask inside DLP. We had FFP2 masks but they were a bit big on our 10 y.o. so picked up a box of 50 kids masks in Auchan for €7.

munchkin_utd

I travelled on the ferry to France over the past week and did get asked for the sworn declaration form (as did everyone I saw in front of me) so it is checked

They were FAR more focused on the vax cert though and did scan that to check it was authentic/ valid .