Approximately two weeks after the EU took several countries, including the U.S., off its safe travel list, France joins several other EU countries in implementing new travel restrictions for U.S. travelers.

Much like every other EU country, France is operating a traffic light system for managing travel restrictions with each country labeled green, orange or red–with vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers from each color group having to follow different travel rules.

At Sunday 12 September at 00.01 am both the U.S. and Israel are to be placed on the orange list (moving from the previous classification of green). People arriving from orange-list countries can come for any reason, and do not need to show a negative Covid-19 test result–if they are fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated travelers from that point on, must have an essential reason (“un motif impérieux”) for coming into the country. Crucially tourism, or visiting family or second homes, are not considered essential reasons. If unvaccinated travelers are arriving for essential reasons, they must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 test result (if PCR, taken no more than 72 hours previously or antigen, taken no more than 48 hours before) and then quarantine for 7 days.

The news might add to woes about planning forthcoming trips to France–from 30 September, all children aged 12-18 must also be vaccinated to enter cultural places, such as cinemas, sports centres and concert venues and crucially, restaurants and bars. At present, 12-18 year olds are excluded from using the pass sanitaire, which allows access to such places, but from October, it will become a legal requirement.

There are now several countries in the EU which have amended travel restrictions for U.S. travelers–some have banned U.S. travelers outright, while others have brought in rules that mostly affect unvaccinated travelers.