The Road to Le Mans 2021

Felonious Crud

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Can I just say that I identify as a lady (when it suits me) so that makes me eligible for your trip - should be fun :p
In that case, just be careful around that Stevo. His hands can be a bit gropey after he's had a sherry.
 

midlifecrisis

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From the WhatsApp group conversation,

At the time of writing (Saturday 31st July) France requires us to fill in this self-attestation. It's basically says that you do not have symtoms of Covid, that you have not been in contact with anyone who has Covid and that if you are not vaccinated, you'll self-isolate and have a PCR test.



SO download the pdf, print it off and bring it with you to the port. Your passenger (s) will need one too.
 
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Felonious Crud

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Thanks, Martin.

Following up on that same discussion:

if you cannot show evidence of being double-vaccinated with the second jab at least one week prior to travel you can expect to be denied boarding / entry to France etc. UNLESS you have an essential reason for travel. Which we do not.

Assume these rules will remain for the foreseeable future.

Rules for returning to England (Wales, Scotland & N Ireland make their own rules) are expected to change next Thursday, allowing us to return to the UK with no need to quarantine.
 

Dr. Porch

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Details of the forms I mentioned on WhatsApp are available below, in English (and hopefully attached to this post):

Live link (newbie, dunno if this will work here): Certificate of international travel / L'actu du Ministère / Actualités - Ministère de l'Intérieur (interieur.gouv.fr)

I meant to post yesterday, but instead I got slaughtered on the finest Kent ale with Aran Brooks.

I travelled through France at the end of June, when UK/France were on reciprocal Amber lists; the rules that applied to me then were as follows:

SUMMARY:
Fully jabbed = Form 1 attached
Not Fully Jabbed: Forms 1, 2 and 3 also attached.

Download and print the forms, as the French want hard copies. I had a pdf copy saved on my phone but they didn't accept it. They gave me a blank one and I had to fill it in. And join the back of the queue.

Fully jabbed:
"If you are already vaccinated, no restrictions shall apply..."
Happy days. However, you also need a sworn statement (Form 1 attached) stating you haven't been in contact with anyone with covid, and you don't have symptoms. This statement is available at the above link. You will need to print and sign a copy.

[Note that to the French, 'fully jabbed' means: The vaccination schedule is considered complete 28 days after the administration of a dose for Janssen vaccine and 7 days after administration of a second dose for other vaccines (Pfizer / Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca / Vaxzevria/Covishield).

Not fully jabbed (or no jabs whatsoever)
:
"If you are not vaccinated, you must give a compelling reason to be allowed to enter metropolitan France...". The list of reasons is given on Form 2, attached. May I suggest you consider visiting that ill relative (must be a close relative, not a distant cousin) you have who lives in Denmark or Sweden (or any other obscure language unlikely to be understood) and prepare a letter from the medical staff about how ill your relative is? The small print requires some form of confirmation. Here's a link to google translate: Google Translate. In this case, you would select the last tick-box which indicates you are travelling through France, and will leave within 24 hours. In my case, there was no record of this form taken by the French Border Control, only read it and asked me my reason for travelling.

Also, if not fully jabbed, you need to complete Form 3 to exit France. And, when I travelled, I needed a further PCR within 48hrs to enter the UK - but I think this has changed now. If it's still the same when we are leaving, let me know and I'll advise how I overcame the problem.

Finally, if not fully jabbed, you need a PCR test within 48 hrs to enter France. Note that the French Border Control in Folkestone checked the serial number of the PCR test carefully, entering it into the 'Fitness to Fly' database, so the PCR can't really be faked.

I know this went on a bit, hopefully my experience helps; but as Adam and Matt have both mentioned, it's up to you to get it right.


Edit by mod: Word versions here.
 

Attachments

  • Form 3 Exit from France.pdf
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  • Form 2 Entry to France.pdf
    144.8 KB · Views: 3
  • Form 1 Sworn Statement.pdf
    112 KB · Views: 7
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Felonious Crud

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Details of the forms I mentioned on WhatsApp are available below, in English (and hopefully attached to this post):

Live link (newbie, dunno if this will work here): Certificate of international travel / L'actu du Ministère / Actualités - Ministère de l'Intérieur (interieur.gouv.fr)

I meant to post yesterday, but instead I got slaughtered on the finest Kent ale with Aran Brooks.

I travelled through France at the end of June, when UK/France were on reciprocal Amber lists; the rules that applied to me then were as follows:

SUMMARY:
Fully jabbed = Form 1 attached
Not Fully Jabbed: Forms 1, 2 and 3 also attached.

Download and print the forms, as the French want hard copies. I had a pdf copy saved on my phone but they didn't accept it. They gave me a blank one and I had to fill it in. And join the back of the queue.

Fully jabbed:
"If you are already vaccinated, no restrictions shall apply..."
Happy days. However, you also need a sworn statement (Form 1 attached) stating you haven't been in contact with anyone with covid, and you don't have symptoms. This statement is available at the above link. You will need to print and sign a copy.

[Note that to the French, 'fully jabbed' means: The vaccination schedule is considered complete 28 days after the administration of a dose for Janssen vaccine and 7 days after administration of a second dose for other vaccines (Pfizer / Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca / Vaxzevria/Covishield).

Not fully jabbed (or no jabs whatsoever)
:
"If you are not vaccinated, you must give a compelling reason to be allowed to enter metropolitan France...". The list of reasons is given on Form 2, attached. May I suggest you consider visiting that ill relative (must be a close relative, not a distant cousin) you have who lives in Denmark or Sweden (or any other obscure language unlikely to be understood) and prepare a letter from the medical staff about how ill your relative is? The small print requires some form of confirmation. Here's a link to google translate: Google Translate. In this case, you would select the last tick-box which indicates you are travelling through France, and will leave within 24 hours. In my case, there was no record of this form taken by the French Border Control, only read it and asked me my reason for travelling.

Also, if not fully jabbed, you need to complete Form 3 to exit France. And, when I travelled, I needed a further PCR within 48hrs to enter the UK - but I think this has changed now. If it's still the same when we are leaving, let me know and I'll advise how I overcame the problem.

Finally, if not fully jabbed, you need a PCR test within 48 hrs to enter France. Note that the French Border Control in Folkestone checked the serial number of the PCR test carefully, entering it into the 'Fitness to Fly' database, so the PCR can't really be faked.

I know this went on a bit, hopefully my experience helps; but as Adam and Matt have both mentioned, it's up to you to get it right.
Thank you, Mr T, proper job, that. Very helpful.
 

conaero

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For anyone thinking of coming I am offering free entrance and parking tickets as an incentive for your car and two passengers. That’s £250 off.
 

Gazcw

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Nice one thanks a lot. I’m dragging Ash to the jab centre at close to see if I can get him done
Tell them he has babies to feed and if he doesn't get a second jab he is gonna lose his job and be on the streets for Christmas.
 

Gazcw

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7,696
For anyone thinking of coming I am offering free entrance and parking tickets as an incentive for your car and two passengers. That’s £250 off.
Still trying to find a second but rumours about you lot must have got out. Everyone is busy.
 

Felonious Crud

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Still trying to find a second but rumours about you lot must have got out. Everyone is busy.
The trouble is, many people think it's one massive pish-up. It's not. For me, the hot stone massage and Reiki healing sessions are a particular highlight.

More seriously, much driving along beautiful roads is also involved but there's no way on earth that the joy of a good blat could co-exist with the horrors of a hangover. As a result, some mornings start slowly waiting for the breath-tests to show clear.
 

Felonious Crud

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Following up on Barry's post above, if you haven't been vaccinated and you can then you should. It's the responsible thing to do and will reduce the risk of anyone in the group catching any filthy bat-flu. This isn't a political statement designed to start a stupid scrap like the forum used to endure, it's the opinion of the forum and it's the forum organising the trip.

Three posts will be dripping in during today as I find time to gather the info. In all cases do your own prep.
  1. COVID-related rules in France
  2. Driving rules in France
  3. Returning to the UK. (edit: on reflection, I won't comment on this yet as there's no point until after 5th August when the rules are due to change).
Note that the third is expected to change on Thursday this week.
 
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Felonious Crud

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Summary:
  • Have you sworn attestation AND COVID vaccine proof ready before you try to board the ferry. Without them, you won't be allowed to board
  • Bring masks
  • Print evidence of vaccination. Probably worth printing a spare copy as it looks like a version on your phone will not be accepted
  • Carry proof of ID alongside your vaccination certificate so you can prove it's yours.
In more detail, COVID rules in France (from here):

Masks
  • Must be work in indoor public spaces (shops, offices, schools etc) and on public transport. Wear it properly over your mouth and nose, not like a ****-wit.
  • Do not generally need to be worn outside except in places where social distancing is not possible (Le Mans track tunnels, bridge, queues, open-air markets, railway stations, etc.)
  • Local rules might also apply.
Events (see also here)
  • Health passes (see below) will be mandatory for boarding the ferry and for track entry at Le Mans
  • You may also be required to show proof of ID to be allowed entry to the track
  • Local rules might also apply.
Health Pass

PRINT A NEW ONE. These are valid from 30 days from the date of being downloaded, so you might need a new one.

To reiterate, you will need this to be allowed entry to the track. You might also need it at other times, such as restaurants bars, art galleries, museums and AA meetings. Carry it with you at all times.

The pass must prove one of the three following items but keep in mind that two and three do not apply to us so I made them grey; anyone relying on those will be in quarantine. You need proof of vaccination.
  1. That you are fully vaccinated (with an EMA-approved vaccine):
    • Two weeks after the second shot for two-shot vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);
    • Four weeks after the shot for one-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson);
    • Two weeks after the shot for vaccines administered to people who have already had COVID-19 (only one dose is necessary).
  2. OR that you have been tested (PCR or antigen) with a negative result within the last 48hrs
  3. OR that you have recovered from COVID-19, attested by a positive PCR or antigen test result, at least 15 days and no more than 6 months old.
Passes can be digital (on the French TousAntiCovid app or EU Digital COVID Certificate scheme but I suspect those are not relevant to anyone here) or in paper form (proof of vaccination or test result). They must be presented in English or French.

The rules say that you will not need to present a health pass for day-to-day stuff (commuting, shopping, cinemas, etc.) but my advice is to carry it with you all all times anyway. Print it, fold it up, stick it in your wallet.
 
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Felonious Crud

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Driving rules in France. These have changed a bit - a Green Card is now required, Brexit blah blah so pay attention. Source here.

What to bring
  • A full, valid UK driving licence. The DVLA the paper counterpart is not required. You must be 18 or over to drive in France (I think we're generally ok on that point...).
  • Insurance certificate and a Green Card. The Green Card is an international certificate of insurance - a physical document that drivers must take with them when travelling. I'm with Admiral and it arrived by post in about three days. Disappointingly, it's not green. Order it now
  • A GB sticker to display in the rear windscreen
  • A warning triangle and one reflective jacket per car occupant for use in a breakdown. Without these, you risk being fined around €90
  • Headlamp converters (for driving on the right) are compulsory to prevent dazzling drivers coming the other way
  • If you have one or can get one, the standard-issue forum radio. These are ideal for staying in touch especially when we're on the road. Fuel stops, the increasingly frequent (yet short...) pish-breaks, mechanical woes etc. @midlifecrisis can you provide details, please?
What NOT to bring
  • Radar detectors are illegal in France. If you are caught with one you risk fines of up to €1,500. Satnav and GPS systems which show where speed cameras are located are also illegal so make sure this function is disabled or removed completely from your device.
 

Zep

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Driving rules in France. These have changed a bit - a Green Card is now required, Brexit blah blah so pay attention. Source here.

What to bring
  • A full, valid UK driving licence. The DVLA the paper counterpart is not required. You must be 18 or over to drive in France (I think we're generally ok on that point...).
  • Insurance certificate and a Green Card. The Green Card is an international certificate of insurance - a physical document that drivers must take with them when travelling. I'm with Admiral and it arrived by post in about three days. Disappointingly, it's not green. Order it now
  • A GB sticker to display in the rear windscreen
  • A warning triangle and one reflective jacket per car occupant for use in a breakdown. Without these, you risk being fined around €90
  • Headlamp converters (for driving on the right) are compulsory to prevent dazzling drivers coming the other way
  • If you have one or can get one, the standard-issue forum radio. These are ideal for staying in touch especially when we're on the road. Fuel stops, the increasingly frequent (yet short...) pish-breaks, mechanical woes etc. @midlifecrisis can you provide details, please?
What NOT to bring
  • Radar detectors are illegal in France. If you are caught with one you risk fines of up to €1,500. Satnav and GPS systems which show where speed cameras are located are also illegal so make sure this function is disabled or removed completely from your device.

Radio is a Mitec General. It’s the one with a red mark next to the LED.