COVID-19: new measures at EuroAirport

Early in November 2020, the French government decided to replace the PCR testing system with antigenic tests for all flights arriving from places on France’s list of high-risk countries. As a result, the Préfecture du Haut-Rhin took over the COVID-19 screening centre on 19 November, replacing the existing system set up by the Agence Régionale de Santé Grand Est.

Arrivals: two scenarios

  • New: antigenic testing carried out at the Airport for arrivals from “red” countries
    Passengers entering France from countries on the “red” list are tested directly at the Airport before passport control; these mandatory tests are free of charge, and results are available within 30 minutes. Travelers who can produce a negative test taken less than 72 hours before boarding are exempted from systematic mandatory testing. The advantage for passengers is that results are now available very soon after they land at the airport.

    The COVID-19 screening tests required by the government are now mandatory and systematic at EuroAirport for passengers arriving on flights from the following countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Serbia. The complete list of countries classified as "red" is regularly updated on the France Diplomacy website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/actualites-du-ministere/informations-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-les-reponses-a-vos-questions

  • Warning – new and mandatory: travelers must be in possession of a negative test certificate to board a flight from a country on the “scarlet” list!
    Persons aged 11 or over entering France from one of the countries on the “scarlet” list are required to present a certificate before boarding showing that a virological screening test or examination carried out less than 72 hours before boarding is negative for COVID-19 contamination: at EuroAirport, this applies to passengers on flights from Algeria, Israel, Morocco and Turkey. This list is regularly updated on the France Diplomacy website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/actualites-du-ministere/informations-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-les-reponses-a-vos-questions

NB: Swiss residents (holders of a Swiss identity document or a permanent residence permit in Switzerland) entering Switzerland are exempted from both the mandatory antigenic tests on arrival and the need to produce a negative test certificate before boarding. For more information about entry procedures and requirements for passengers arriving in Switzerland from foreign countries, please refer to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health website.

We would remind travelers that many countries have introduced lockdown measures and travel restrictions (see here). Travelers must comply with the laws of their host country.

Departures
There is currently no COVID-19 screening centre for departures from Basel-Mulhouse Airport.