A new travel certificate comes into effect during the curfew from Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Deconfinement does not therefore mean the end of restrictions. You are told where to download the new certificate and what changes during curfew.
The first of the three stages of deconfinement in France starts on Tuesday 15 December 2020. As announced by President Emmanuel Macron, we are witnessing the return of the curfew. Prime Minister Jean Castex has specified the terms of this new stage which will ultimately be stricter. The target of less than 5,000 new cases of Covid-19 per day has not been reached. The government therefore chose to adapt its program.
The curfew thus starts every evening at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. It ends the next morning at 6 a.m.. An exception is planned for the evening of December 24, 2020 and only on that day. The French will not escape the restrictions on the evening of New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Eve, the curfew rules (8 p.m. – 6 a.m.) therefore apply. You will need to have a travel certificate with a valid reason.
Where can I download the certificate to travel during the curfew?
The new certificates in paper and digital format are accessible since the publication of the decree establishing the curfew. You can download them here, on this page or on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
As usual, you have the choice between the printable version in Word or PDF format. It is also possible to generate the travel certificate from a smartphone. It’s a convenient option that saves you the clutter of paperwork. It is also useful for those who do not have a printer.
Proof of business trip is also back. ” This document drawn up by the employer is sufficient to justify the professional trips of an employee. “. In this case, it is not necessary to bring the exceptional travel certificate. Ditto for the proof of school trip.
Exceptional travel certificate
Proof of business trip
Proof of school trip
The curfew rules: for what reasons is the derogatory certificate valid?
The terms of the new derogatory certificate are similar to those of the previous curfew. The new document is mandatory throughout mainland France. The curfew does not apply to the overseas departments. Here are the valid reasons.
- Travel between home and place of professional activity or the place of education and training, professional trips cannot be postponed;
- Travel for consultations and care which cannot be insured remotely and cannot be deferred or for the purchase of health products;
- Travel for compelling family reasons, for assistance to vulnerable or precarious people or for childcare;
- Travel for people with disabilities and their companion;
- Travel to respond to a judicial or administrative summons;
- Travel to participate in missions of general interest at the request of the administrative authority;
- Travel related to rail or air transits for long distance journeys;
- Short trips, within a maximum radius of one kilometer around the home for the needs of pets.
In some cases, you will also need to bring a document that justifies your trip (business card, train ticket, etc.). Teleworking remains the option to prioritize when possible. Sports activities are not valid after 8 p.m. Ditto for travel related to the purchase of goods, with the exception of medicines.
Restaurants and cafes will remain closed during the curfew. Restaurant owners may however continue to deliver meals after 8 p.m. Take-out is prohibited. Cinemas, theaters and museums will not reopen until January 6, 2021. Finally, the certificate is also accessible from the TousAntiCovid application, the medical tracing solution.
What is the risk in the event of a lack of a travel certificate?
As with previous travel certificates, you risk a fine of 150 € if you are checked without proof. The fine is increased to € 375 in the event of non-payment. Any repeat offense within 15 days of the first offense exposes you to a new fine of € 200, the non-payment of which increases it to € 375. Finally, after three offenses in less than 30 days, you risk a fine of € 3,750 and a 6-month prison sentence.
