It is no secret that travel restrictions have been a major part of our life in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some countries all over the world have implemented measures such as attesting travelers, even foreign citizens, before granting access to their territories or requiring them to have a test or vaccine certificate. In this regard, this article will explore the subject of attestation forms for travel to and within France and its implications.
Since the pandemic started, France made it very clear that the country cares deeply about the health of both its citizens and visitors. As a result, different kinds of safety protocols and procedures have been introduced, including different kinds of health forms and certificates. Every traveler wishing to enter France from abroad is required to fill in a pre-departure online statement, namely, the International Travel Certificate, which allows the traveler to be identified and to confirm compliance with the rules. This statement includes a set of questions about the traveler’s health conditions, contacts and movements. Furthermore, it is essential for travelers to save and keep a copy with themselves during their stay in the country.
Positive Implications
The attestation forms for travel to and within France can be seen as a part of a larger effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. By requiring foreign visitors as well as the French citizens to fill up declarative forms, the government can have a control of who enters and leaves the country in order to address the virus as effectively as possible. According to Robert Debré hospital’s official website, these attestations prove essential to “ensuring the control of movements for the protection of public health”, and for providing “a traceability of persons at risk of infecting others”.
Following the French government’s iniciative, many tourist spots across the country have opened their doors once again, with safety and hygiene measures adapted to what is needed in this situation. Tourists can enjoy the beuautiful monuments and historical places without having to worry as much about the virus, since all the security measures are being taken care of by the government.
In the same way, French citizens can travel around the country without doubts, thanks to the attestation forms. By filing the corresponding form, the citizens can travel not only within the same jurisdiction, but also across the country as needed, since the attestations are valid nationwide.
Negative Implications
Although many are convinced that the introduction of attestation forms for travel to and within France is a good measure, some have voiced concern about its implications. On the one hand, some argue that, with the rise in demand for attestations, national bureaucracies have become more intense, resulting in a longer wait when processing forms. On the other hand, there is also a growing suspicion about the privacy of citizens, as well as regulations defining when, where and how many attestations a person can have.
Likewise, it is worth mentioning that international travelers have been the most affected by the introduction of attestation forms. On the one hand, in addition to the pre-departure online statement, foreign citizens need to have the International Travel Certificate when entering French soil, a form that needs to be updated every month if the person plans to stay longer. On the other hand, according to the National Public Health Agency, travelers coming from a country deemed to be a high-risk zone have to go through a 14-days quarantine period, which means that plans and expected costs might be altered in the long run.
Analysis and conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that attestation forms for travel to and within France have both positive and negative implications and that the debate around this subject is ongoing. It is essential, however, that the government keeps up with the current standards and regulations and that travelers are informed about the different necessary forms as well as changes in protocols. Ultimately, health and safety should come first and attestation forms are, in many ways, a small yet important contribution to the collective wellbeing.
