A long while ago we wrote a blog about the anticipation of travel, it has long since disappeared from our site however the gist of it was based on a report that ‘planning or anticipating your trip can make you as happy as actually taking it’. I feel now that this anticipation has been a little marred by Covid so I wanted to share 2 things about flying to France during covid.
- This awesome video that a guest sent me, that got me SO excited for this season
- More relevantly my experience of flying from the UK to France last week
The brief version is that masks and paperwork have been added to the same amazing feeling of sitting on the plane knowing that you are going to the Alps. The view was way more magnificent than I remembered and the feeling of when you arrive at Geneva airport and come out of the gates to see a sign with your name on, knowing you are one step closer is just as exciting.
The extra admin to get these feelings are:
Departing UK
- You need to show proof of vaccination. We printed ours just in case our phones died, had signal problems etc If over 12 and not had both shots you will need a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before departure or a negative antigenic test taken less than 48 hours.
- Wearing a mask on the plane. That oddly we could then remove to eat and drink. There are no menus, you use a QR code to access the refreshment menu. To echo another travellers account the coffee on Easyjet is still rubbish (sorry Easyjet) however fear not you will soon be in the land of decent coffee. Surely making flying to France during covid worthwhile!
Arrive, Geneva
- Show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated children aged 12 and over will need to present a negative test result.
- Complete a Swiss Entry form.
- Also complete a SWORN declaration form for arriving into France.
You will notice that on the other side of the channel, here, mask wearing is much more common so don’t get caught out and keep your mask with you. In advance of your travels, it is a good idea to download the French TousAntiCovid app so that you can add your vaccinations to it (via QR codes) before you arrive. You will need this app to enter restaurants. Other things to be aware of is that to be classed as fully vaccinated in France if over the age of 12 you need to have had both shots, if over the age of 65 both shots and a booster shot.
On return to the UK
- Book a day 2 PCR test.
- Fill in a passenger locater form
And that it is. Back to being like the moment before pooh bear eats honey.“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
