French Guiana: Authorities ease COVID-19-related restrictions as of Dec. 3 /update 36

Event

Authorities in French Guiana have issued orders easing certain COVID-19-related requirements for international travel, as well as for domestic movement as of Dec. 3.

International Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated individuals can now enter French Guiana without a compelling reason for travel; moreover, those traveling from a so-called "green-listed" country or territory do not require a pre-travel test. Fully vaccinated individuals from Metropolitan France or countries categorized as "orange-listed" must show a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Fully vaccinated individuals traveling from "red-listed" countries must show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to travel.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated still require a compelling reason to travel into French Guiana. Additionally, those traveling from Metropolitan France or green-listed countries need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure for French Guiana or an antigen test within 48 hours prior to departure. They must also quarantine for seven days upon arrival and produce a negative test result before ending the isolation period. Unvaccinated individuals traveling from orange- or red-listed countries must show a negative result from PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to departure and take an additional test upon arrival; they must also comply with the same quarantine requirements as unvaccinated travelers from green-listed countries.

Countries within the European Union, as well as Canada, Argentina, Australia, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, among others, are on the green list. The US, most of South America, most of Africa (except southern African countries), China and Mexico, are on the orange list, while Russia, Brazil, Belarus, Costa Rica, Cuba, Turkey, and Suriname are red-listed.

Domestic Measures
Authorities use a color-coded system to categorize municipalities as green, orange, or red in increasing order of disease activity risk and impose local restrictions accordingly. As of Dec. 3, all municipalities are at the green level. In green locations, there is no nightly curfew in place; nonessential businesses can operate without restrictions, provided patrons show proof of full vaccination. Moreover, gatherings do not have specific size limits. At the orange level, a 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew is enforced and gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 people.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on local disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of French Guiana
Certificate for international travel
Certificate for essential travel outside curfew hours