covid in vendee

COVID-19 Vendée

While there are no official changes in the status of the rules, the numbers are going up again just slightly due to new variants and increased travel. Do stay vigilant. Wear a mask when in close proximity to others, wash and disinfect your hands, keep your distance. Unless there are significant changes announced by the government or department, this article will not be updated.  We invite you to follow included links for the latest official updates. Have a great summer!

Current measures
  • The “vaccination pass” has been suspended
  • Wearing of a mask remains necessary
    • in healthcare facilities, retirement homes, establishments for people with disabilities.
    • when around people who are at high risk of developing serious illness
    • around people who have tested positive and contact cases
  • The mask is no longer compulsory in closed places but remains required in all manner of public passenger transport until May 16th. 
  • Use your best judgement
    • always carry a mask! In small spaces e.g. an elevator, it's probably best to wear a mask!
    • maintain vigilance and sanitary habits: 1.5m (6ft) distance, frequent washing of hands (40sec with soap), use disinfectant hand gels after contact/ shopping etc
    • frequent washing of reusable masks at 60C for at least 30 minutes
  • Vaccine: the second booster is now available for anyone over 80 years old and soon to the 60+'ers
    Borders

    As of February 12, 2022, the following border rules apply :

      • For vaccinated travelers, no more tests will be required on departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule is sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin.
      • For unvaccinated travelers, the obligation to present a negative test to travel to France remains, but the measures on arrival (test, isolation) are lifted when they come from countries on the "green" list
      • When unvaccinated travelers come from a country on the "orange" list, they must continue to present a compelling reason justifying the need for them to come to mainland France and may still be subject to a random test on arrival. Travelers who test positive will have to isolate themselves.

    (inthevendee.com last update 06-07-2022)

    NOTE: Per the French diplomacy website the rules for travel to and from France "also depend on the country from which or to which you wish to travel, the reason for which you are travelling and your vaccination status." A toll-free hotline service (French only) can answer your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).

    Countries/territories

    As of April 1st, 2022 France has adjusted its border regulations as follows. Current rules for entering France HERE. (6th July - no change)

    *Green countries (countries and territories where no active circulation of the virus has been observed and no variant of concern has been identified): Member States of the European Union as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican. In addition, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Burma, Bolivia, Bonaire, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, St. Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, South Korea, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Grenada, Greenland, Guatemala, United Arab Emirates, United States Honduras, Hong Kong, Faroe Islands, Mauritius, British Virgin Islands, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Solomon Islands, Jordan, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Northern Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, El Salvador, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Seychelles, Sudan, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Chad, East Timor, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    *Orange countries (where an active circulation of the virus is observed in controlled proportions, without the spread of variants of concern): These are all countries not included in the lists of "green" and "red" countries.
    *Red countries (an active virus circulation was observed with the presence of variants of concern): no countries classified as red.
    *Scarlet countries (particularly active circulation of the virus and/or discovery of a variant that may pose a risk of increased transmissibility or immune escape): no country is classified as “scarlet red”.

    Source : FAQ information for foreign nationals wishing to enter France or already in France, who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check the source link for frequent updates by the French Government. inthevendee.com last update 06 July 2022

    Vendée department situation [STATISTICS UPDATES ON MONDAYS ONLY]:
    • UPDATE: SINCE 28TH JUNE THIS REPORT IS NO LONGER PUBLISHED BY ARS)
    • Corona virus statistics in Vendée - Situation report from 28TH JUNE - for the 7 days prior (source Pays de la Loire Health department)
      • 4522 (7 days)
      • 23  hospitalizations (7 days)
      • 3 in intensive care (7 days)
    • The Pays de la Loire region has activated a new telephone number (toll-free) 0 800 100 200 and email address actioneco-coronavirus@paysdelaloire.fr
    • Please check prefecture and/or mairie websites for local updates
    Situation in France

    Find the updated situation report for France. From Jan. 2020: total cases 30,517,757  with cumulated deaths 146,346 (4TH jULY ) Questions about the vaccine? Check this comprehensive article from France24 here
    Vaccinations administered:
    * at least 1 dose: 54,468,897
    * 2 doses: 53,570,760
    * booster : 40,235,853
    *2nd booster: now available to everybody 80+ and soon to 60+

    Situation worldwide

    Worldwide, there are 547,901,157 (5th July 2022 - AM) with 6,339,899 reported deaths.
    Vaccines doses administered: 12,037,259,035 (data as of 3 July 2022)

    INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO FRANCE

    Per the French diplomacy website "The rules for travel to and from France depend on the country from which or to which you wish to travel, the reason for which you are travelling and your vaccination status." FOR ALL IMPORTANT INFORMATION, RULES AND REGULATIONS WHETHER YOU ARE VACCINATED OR NOT VACCINATED, COME FROM A RED ZONE OR ORANGE ZONE etc. GO HERE TO THE Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

    France is open to tourism - please check here for the latest updates, announcements, and restrictions.
    **Covid-19 travel between UK and FRANCE - all info here
    **    Covid-19 travel between US and FRANCE - check US Embassy and Consulates in France
    **     Covid-19 travel between CANADA and FRANCE - embassy advisory info
    ** Covid-19 travel between AUSTRALIA and FRANCE - Australian embassy in France
    **     Covid-19 travel between SOUTH-AFRICA and FRANCE -info embassy
    **     Covid-19 travel between NETHERLANDS and FRANCE -  travel advisory from the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands
    **     Covid-19 travel between BELGIUM and FRANCE - FOD Foreign Affairs. Form to return to Belgium here
    **     Covid-19 travel between GERMANY and FRANCE - embassy advisory
    **Please practice sanitary measures TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

    • social distancing, frequent handwashing with soap, and disinfecting
    • symptoms? contact a doctor immediately, or go to a test center or pharmacy for a quick test, and quarantine;
    • difficulty breathing call  #15 or text #114 (speech and hearing impaired)
    • Covid-19 test locations in the Vendée
    GOVERNMENT MEASURES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

    Protection
    Science shows that the wearing of masks is preferable for slowing the spread of the disease. Having masks available for employees will be a requirement of reopening. It will be required to wear masks in public as well, and anywhere social distancing is not possible. The vulnerable will receive masks distributed by the post office or through associations. Pharmacies will sell both disposable and washable masks. Social distancing, rigorous hygiene, and discipline remain necessary. 

    Testing
    Everybody displaying symptoms will be tested

    Isolation is a civic duty
    Controls will be put in place for those who test positive but the Prime Minister pleaded to the French public and residents to adhere to government guidelines as follows:

    • to ensure self-isolation (this can happen at home with the entire family) OR in requisitioned hotels to self-isolate away from the family
    • to work with the entities like doctors, nurses, or a special task force that will follow up to ensure testing of all people the person who tested positive was in contact with
    • The app to track the disease raises legitimate questions of privacy and security is available but it is NOT mandatory to participate
    What is the Coronavirus?

    In humans, coronaviruses cause mild forms of respiratory tract infections, but strains like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 can be deadly. Symptoms include fever and breathing issues. For now, there are no announcements of vaccines or medication that can either prevent or treat the virus. It is said that the illness feels less severe or painful than the common flu. Patients with a compromised immune system, people over 80 years old and people with heart issues are particularly at risk to contract the virus.

    Where does the name come from?

    According to Wikipedia: "the name is derived from the Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "halo", which refers to the characteristic appearance of the virus particles (virions): they have a fringe reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona."

    What are the symptoms?

    Please consult the World Health Organisation's Q & A page  for all of your questions, concerns and the very latest updates. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of sense of taste and smell, and dry cough. People with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart issues are at higher risk. The incubation period is 1-14 days, but five days seems to be the most common.

    What to do in case of symptoms?
    • The government of France has activated a 24/7 toll-free number for your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 : 0 800 130 000. (not to be used for medical advice)
    • If you present signs of respiratory infections within 14 days of your return from China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao), Singapore, South Korea, Iran or the Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy, please dial the number 15 on your telephone. 
    • If you are on holiday and suspect the illness, please contact your local embassy or consulate.

      From 11th March 2020 WHO have deemed the virus a pandemic. You can find an up-to-date global map here. Please follow virus protocols as described in the above pamphlet provided by the government. Expect further announcements and monitor reputable news sources such as France24 (English) for up-to-date information. This article is updated frequently, so do check back and DO
      stay healthy everybody!

      Sources: Linternaute, WHO, Gouvernement.fr, wikipedia, cdc.gov, Vendee Gouvernement and France24English, ARS Pays de la Loire

      Disclaimer: This Site cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice.

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