Details provided by https://www.morzinesourcemagazine.com

The details regarding your trip to Morzine, Les Gets or Avoriaz this winter are changing constantly. In an effort to try and break down the rules and regulations, we’ve divided the article that previously appeared on this page into two separate pages; this page relates to in-resort details, and another page HERE is dedicated to travel between the UK and France. We’ll do our best to keep everything as up to date as possible in the hours, days and weeks to come.

UPDATED PM 18/01/22

BEFORE YOU GET STUCK IN TO THIS ARTICLE, please note. The information included below does not exist in one place; we’ve scoured several websites, translated multiple documents and cross-checked the information that follows as much as possible. However, no one person / source can provide the precise rules for the Pass Vaccinal as things stand at the moment. The information you’ll find below is our interpretation of the new rules and we’ll keep them updated as best we can.

BACKGROUND: Before the French government closed the borders to British travellers on 18th December 2021, only travellers satisfying France’s ‘fully vaccinated’ status were permitted to enter the country without having to quarantine on arrival. Fully vaccinated travellers could then access the French Pass Sanitaire (like a digital health passport) via the TousAntiCovid app to access bars, restaurants, large venues and (crucially) our ski lift network. A Pass Sanitaire was required for everyone aged 12 years and 2 months and over. Those without fully-vaccinated status (many British teenagers for example), could top up their Pass Sanitaire by taking daily anti-gen tests in the pharmacies in each resort so they could continue to use the ski lifts, visit restaurants, etc. In advance, this work-around seemed both frustrating and expensive for many British families, but it worked for those lucky enough to be in the mountains during Christmas and New Year.

CURRENT SITUATION: On a date still to be confirmed in the very near future (and certainly before the end of January 2022), the Pass Sanitaire will be replaced by the Pass Vaccinal. The difference between the two is quite explicit – only those with fully-vaccinated status (that’s triple jabbed if you’re aged 18 or over, see below re booster jabs) can have a Pass Vaccinal, which continues to be necessary for bars, restaurants, ski lifts and long distance travel. If you’re aged 18 or over, you can no longer use the daily testing work-around to top up your pass. On the evening on Sunday 16th Jan, it was also confirmed that the rules relating to a Pass Vaccinal will also apply to those aged 16 years and over, though currently in France a booster jab is only offered to those aged 18 and over. More on this below.

*The bill to change the Pass Sanitaire to a Pass Vaccinal has been approved by French MPs. The original implementation date was set for 15th January, it’s thought that this will be delayed.

If you’re looking for information on travel to France from the UK, see our article HERE.

On 18/01/22 the British Embassy in Paris provided the following graphic to help explain the travel and in-resort vaccination and testing requirements for British tourists. Note that this graphic is already slightly out of date as it doesn’t account for the new Pass Vaccinal requirements, which are due to be implemented in the next few days.

The Pass Vaccinal

There are some outstanding details still to be confirmed regarding the Pass Vaccinal, but here’s what we know so far.

As the name suggests, for your Pass Vaccinal to be valid, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as per the French schedule – that’s two vaccinations plus a booster within 7 months of your second jab if you’re aged 18 or over. The ‘one infection = one dose’ rule still applies and this means that if you’ve previously recovered from COVID-19 (this recovery needs to be more than 11 days ago and less than 6 months ago to count), this counts towards the overall number of doses you’ve received. If you’re eligible for a booster shot in France (that’s all adults aged 18 and over here in France), then this is also required to keep your Pass Vaccinal activated. If you’ve not received your booster jab within seven months of your second dose, your Pass Vaccinal will be invalid (or expire if you already have one).

The time schedule for these vaccinations to be valid within your Pass Vaccinal is as follows:

– 7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca) ;
– 28 days after injection for single injection vaccines (Johnson & Johnson);
– 7 days after injection for vaccines in people with a history of Covid (single injection).

Travellers vaccinated in the UK can import the NHS QR code confirming their vaccination status into the TousAntiCovid app. (Note that this app is available in both French and English and is very easy to use). This will then generate your Pass Vaccinal.

You’ll be asked to present your Pass Vaccinal as you access ski lifts, bars, restaurants, cafes and venues. You can also present a digital or paper NHS certificate showing your full vaccine status if for some reason you cannot access the app.

(NOTE* It’s the vaccination certificate that includes a scannable QR code that you’ll need for both the TousAntiCovid app and to scan on entry to ski lifts, restaurants, bars, etc.)

Children aged 16-18

The rules relating to the Pass Vaccinal are also applied to those aged 16-17 years (until you’re 18 for the avoidance of any doubt). Within this age group you must be fully vaccinated to access a Pass Vaccinal required for ski lifts, restaurants, bars, etc. However, ‘fully-vaccinated’ in this age group in France is two vaccines (or recoveries), without the requirement to have a booster jab, as per above. The precise detail on this specific element is expected from the French government very soon.

Children aged 12-16

The original Pass Sanitaire was already a requirement for children aged 12 years and 2 months to 17 years of age, whether vaccinated in France or the UK and many French children in this age group are already double vaccinated. There’s been much debate within the framework of the French government over whether this age group should be subject to the new regulations of the Pass Vaccinal. It was confirmed on Sunday 16th January that children aged 12 years, 2 months to 16 years (rather than the previous 17 years) can obtain a Pass Sanitaire, rather than a Pass Vaccinal.

So what does this mean for children aged 12 years, 2 months and 16 years of age? To obtain a Pass Sanitaire they will need to upload two vaccination certificates to the TousAntiCovid app to generate their health pass. They’ll need to show this as they access ski lifts, bars, restaurants and large venues. 12 years, 2 months – 16 year olds can prepare their Pass Sanitaire in advance of their holiday and they do not need to rest each day in resort if they have received two vaccines.

If your 12 years, 2 months to 16 year olds have yet to receive two vaccinations, they can use the daily testing work-around, as per the original Pass Sanitaire requirements. Each day they’ll take a test at a local pharmacy in resort, then use the negative test result to ‘top up’ their health pass to access the ski lifts, restaurants, etc. See below for in-resort testing arrangements.

*Note – at-home tests are not acceptable for the Pass Sanitaire.

(Note that children in this age group do not require a third / booster jab for their Pass Sanitaire).

Equivalency Certificates

If your 12 years and 2 months – 16 year old has one vaccination plus one recovery (and is not eligible for a second jab in advance of your holiday), but the positive test result confirming this recovery comes from the UK, take note. Positive test results from some countries outside the EU (including the UK), are not accepted as a vaccine substitute here in France. Some of our followers have reported obtaining an equivalency certificate from one of our local pharmacies (priced at €36), which can then be scanned into the TousAntiCovid app of your 12-17 year old, giving them ‘fully-vaccinated’ status and therefore a Pass Vaccinal. Although this is not official policy (we’ve researched this extensively), the actual experiences of tourists over Christmas and New Year week seem to differ. Many have successfully obtained a ‘vaccine equivalency’ certificate from a local chemist for their children so it seems that it’s at the discretion of the pharmacist.

In-resort testing

Should you develop potential COVID-19 symptoms while on holiday, or if you need to take a test for your return travel (this is not currently a requirement for the UK), all three resorts are set up to provide a high volume of anti-gen tests each day.

You’ll also need to know about in-resort testing if you need to top-up the Pass Sanitaire of your 12yrs, 2mths to 16 year olds each day.

Note that tests in our valley vary in price between €23 and €30 (it’s more like €30 at the weekends)

Morzine:

The Grande Pharmacie de Morzine in the centre of the village has the capacity to perform up to 1500 anti-gen tests each day between the hours of 8.30am and 8pm. They’re open every day during the winter season. In effect, this makes it Morzine’s mass testing centre for holiday makers. The Grande Pharmacie de Morzine also has the ability to double its capacity to 3000 tests per day during peak times and requires just two hours notice to upscale its testing capacity, moving to Morzine’s Palais du Sport.

You’re advised to pre-book your in-resort anti-gen testing requirements in advance of your holiday using the Doctolib website. We’ve broken down the process for you below – note that it’s slightly arduous but entirely worth the time, giving you peace of mind in advance of your holiday. Walk-in tests are also available.

Note: Currently only the Grande Pharmacie de Morzine is available to book on Doctolib. For booking arrangements at the pharmacies in Les Gets, Avoriaz and St Jean d’Aulps, please read on.

The Pharmacie du Bourg in Morzine also has the capacity to undertake 50 tests per day. These are not available to book in advance. Pharmacie du Bourg is open every day from 8.30am to 7.30pm.

In Morzine, PCR tests are undertaken at the medical centre at the nurses station, which you’ll find on the first floor of the Cabinet Médical. You’ll find directions HERE.

Avoriaz:

Between the Pharmacie des Portes du Soleil in Avoriaz and the medical centre in the village, Avoriaz has the capacity to perform 500 anti-gen tests per day.

The pharmacy is located in the centre of the village and is open 10am – 12.30pm and 3pm – 6pm each day.

The medical centre in Avoriaz will also perform a large volume of anti-gen tests each day on a walk-in basis. The medical centre is open between 9am and 6pm each day.

Les Gets:

We’re unsure of the testing capacity of the pharmacy in Les Gets but they have assured us that they’re able to perform enough tests each day to cope with demand. It’s not possible to book tests in advance and the pharmacy is open 9am – 12noon and 4pm – 6.30pm every day during the winter season. The cost of each test in Les Gets is €25.01 per test.

Other Measures

There are a few other measures that you should be aware to help you plan your holiday.

– If you’re taking the ski train to resort, you’ll need to produce a Pass Vaccinal as you board your train.

– From the age of 5 and above, face masks are required in shared bubble lifts and in lift queues as well as all indoor spaces. These should be medical grade face masks rather than neck gators or buffs. You do not need to wear a face mask while you’re skiing. The resort of Les Gets have developed their own face mask / neck gaiter that meets these requirements. You can order online HERE. 

– You do not need a Pass Vaccinal or a Pass Sanitaire to visit shops and supermarkets, but you will need to wear a mask. This is compulsory.

– In various places across the ski lift network you’ll be asked to produce your Pass Vaccinal / Pass Sanitaire. You’ll also be asked to show your pass at the time of purchase or collection at the lift pass office when you collect your holiday lift passes.

– Face masks are also compulsory in the centre of each of our villages.

Booster Jabs

Lots of you have asked us for advice on this point. However, because each scenario is different, we’re unable to answer your individual questions on this issue. However, here’s some guidance on booster jabs and how they’ll affect your access to a Pass Vaccinal this winter.

From 15th January 2021 here in France, all 18 year olds and over who have not had their booster (3rd jab or 2nd jab in the case of having a Janssen vaccine) and are past 7 months from the date of their 2nd jab, will have their Pass Vaccinal deactivated. You’ll receive an alert within the TousAntiCovid app before your pass expires.

This does not mean that everyone’s health pass will be deactivated on this date, as it all depends on when you had your 2nd jab as to when your health pass is valid until. Those who had their 2nd jab on or before the 17th June 2021 will be deactivated.

For example; if you had your 2nd jab on the 15th of July 2021, you can get your booster anytime from 15th December 2021 (5 months from the date of 2nd jab), you then have up until the 15th of February 2021 (7 months from 2nd jab) to get your booster. If you don’t get your booster by this date, your health pass will be deactivated.

Your health pass deactivation will all be based on 7 months from your 2nd jab, whenever that was.

On 15th February 2022, the seven month period in which to receive your booster jab decreases to five months. You will therefore need to upload a booster jab certificate to the TousAntiCovid app within five months of your second vaccination to order to keep your Pass Vaccinal active.

When you get your booster, it has been recommended that you wait a few days (up to 7) to load onto the TousAntiCovid App, as there have been issues with it recognising this 3rd jab straight away.

For more information on booster jabs in France, please head HERE.

FAQs

Can I do a self-test in my chalet / apartment for my children to top up their Pass Sanitaire each day, instead of visiting the pharmacy?

We’re still researching this one. Some official websites state that “Self-tests carried out under the supervision of a health professional are recognised as evidence for the “health pass”, but not for border crossings between countries, notably within the European Union.” How that relates to Randox (etc) tests brought from the UK to France and undertaken via video link is uncertain at the moment. (If anyone has had any success with this scenario, please get in touch!)

What kind of mask must I wear to access the ski lifts?

Skiers must wear a surgical mask or a category 1 fabric mask (AFNOR SPEC S76-001 certification). Regarding neck gaitors, only those that are filtering and approved will be authorised as an alternative to masks. You do not need to wear a mask while you’re skiing.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 while in resort?

If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and you test positive while in resort, you’ll need to isolate for seven days. However, if you take a further PCR or anti-gen test (available at most pharmacies in each village) on day five of your isolation and it is negative, you can then end your isolation immediately. If you continue to return a positive text, you must continue to isolate until day 7, at which time you can leave isolation with or without a negative test result.

Children under the age of 12 years who test positive for COVID-19 in France, and regardless of their vaccination status, must isolate and test on day five. If they no longer have symptoms and produce a negative test result, then they can end isolation.

If your holiday ends before your isolation period, you should contact your accommodation provider immediately to let them know. According to the terms and conditions of most accommodation providers, it’s then your responsibility to find alternative accommodation for the duration of your isolation, if you cannot for any reason stay in your current accommodation.

As for the rest of your ski group, as long as they’re fully vaccinated, they do not need to quarantine with you. However, they probably should (this isn’t a government requirement) take an anti-gen test before heading out into the resort, just to be on the safe side.

As a precaution, if you’ve tested positive at any point during your holiday, you should always let your accommodation provider know before you leave, so they can take extra precautionary measures while cleaning your accommodation.

Useful Links

– Information from the French Government regarding the sanitary situation in the country can be found HERE.

– Latest news regarding travel to France from various countries can be found in English HERE.

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Additional research provided by Sally Lee Duffy & Toby Webb