French authorities have tightened Covid-19 restrictions even further in a turn of events amounting to an effort to contain the rate of infection in Martinique and Guadeloupe, according to press releases published by both.
In addition, the airline Air Belgium is being forced to turn away passengers already holding tickets to go to Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Some of the details of these further shutdowns will be listed below.
Guadeloupe
Travel outside the home between the hours of 20:00 (8 pm) and 05:00 (5 am) is restricted. Any movement within a radius of 10 km of the home is allowed for the purposes of walking or individual exercise. However, proof of address will be required.
Anyone caught traveling outside the 10 km radius of the home will be subject to presenting an exceptional travel certificate justifying their travel. Information on what will justify this travel can be found here.
The updated restrictions in Guadeloupe will be active for 3 weeks from 9 August 2021, however, will likely be extended.
Martinique
Martinique has also enacted a new restrictive curfew from 19:00 (7 pm) to 05:00 (5 am). In addition, most public places that are deemed ‘non-essential’ will remain closed to the public by government order.
In addition, most places will be closed to the public. These measures will be active for three weeks from 10 August 2021, and will likely be extended.
In order to travel from a ‘green’ classified third country to Martinique, travelers must present proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test no older than 72 hours. In the absence of vaccination, a sworn statement must be submitted that the person will quarantine for 7 days, will undergo further Covid-19 testing, and will be financially responsible for treatment should they test positive.
To travel to Martinique from ‘orange’ or ‘red’ classified countries, travelers must present proof of vaccination and test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of departure. Travelers from these classifications will need to provide proof of an overriding family need for their travel there, and submit a sworn statement for quarantine, testing, and financial responsibility for treatment.
More information about Martinique’s travel situation can be found here.
More information about Martinique’s curfew and other restrictions can be found here.
Air Belgium
The large Belgian airline has been forced by French authorities to turn away all travelers to Martinique and Guadeloupe who are not travelling for the compelling reasons laid out by the French government, according to a press release published by the airline.
“The new measures imposed by the French Authorities for stays in Martinique and Guadeloupe oblige us to deny boarding to passengers who wish to travel for any other purpose than the compelling reasons specified by the French regulations,” the press release reads.
Amid frustrations, the airline is working to repatriate travelers to the French territories who had traveled there with Air Belgium.
“We deplore this situation, which is entirely beyond our control. We are organising the repatriation of our passengers currently via our regular flights. Should there be no more seats available on our scheduled flights, agreements have been made with Air Caraïbes and Corsair, among others, to organise the repatriation of our passengers via Paris. Air Belgium will then take care of the transportation of these passengers to Belgium,” the press release reads.
For more information about Air Belgium’s situation, click this link.
