Travelers coming from Brazil who violate quarantine pay R$10,000 fine in France

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – France will impose a €1,500 (about R$10,000) fine to travelers from Brazil, Chile, Argentina and South Africa who fail to respect the 10-day isolation upon arrival in French territory, the government said on Monday, April 19th. The measure aims to contain the import of coronavirus variants.

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said police will conduct checks on the addresses provided by passengers when they land in the country. The fine will double to €3,000, about R$20,000, if there is a repeat offence.

Flights to Brazil are still suspended

Flights to Brazil have been suspended since Wednesday, April 14th, but remain with the other three countries – Chile, Argentina and South Africa – where, according to Paris, the presence of variants “does not reach the levels observed in Brazil.” Initially, the suspension of air links with Brazil would end last Sunday, April 18th, but the measure was extended until next Friday evening, April 23rd.

In addition to the 10-day quarantine, the criteria for travel authorization for people coming from these countries will be reinforced. The goal is to allow only French citizens, spouses and children, and foreign citizens residing in France, to board the planes to France.

According to the French government, a negative PCR test taken less than 36 hours before the trip will be required, instead of 72 hours. If the traveler has a negative PCR done 72 hours before boarding, they will also need to present a negative Covid-19 antigen test done within 24 hours. And upon arrival in France, they will undergo a new antigen test.

Epidemic situation stabilizes at high level

The new measures come into effect “at a time when the epidemic situation has stabilized on national territory,” says the government, but the number of infections remains at a high level. France counts more than 30,000 new infections per day and on Friday, April 16th, passed the symbolic milestone of 100,000 deaths. The number of critically ill patients in ICUs also remains high, at more than 5,900 patients nationwide.

The French government intends to discuss the restrictive measures imposed on Brazil, Chile, Argentina and South Africa with its European partners early next week. The list of countries subject to the new restrictions may be extended in the coming days.

Source: G1