Vaccine certificate / travel from Turkey to France

[exLXCXFF]

Hiya

Not high hopes that someone actually has done this recently but maybe worth a shot.
We are travelling from Switzerland to Turkey in May. 2 pax have AUS Intl. Vaccine Certificates and the little one is only 3, hence has no certificate.

Based on my research, travelling from Switzerland to Turkey should be ok.

Where I am struggling with now is the leg: Turkey to France (on TK). As per usual, the EC websites are utterly confusing and actually contradicting each other (depending where you look / what you look for). Hence, I am getting a bit nervous that the Turkey side (being confused - and I can't blame them really) may refuse us to board our flight from Turkey to France with only our Aus Intl. Vaccine Certificates. Is it maybe worth to do PCRs in Turkey (just for the piece of mind)?

 

[Human]

I'm in France now (having entered on Saturday from the UK) and at check-in our Australian International Vaccination Certificates were accepted without question. We flew Air France. Turkish Airlines is a large and reputable airline. I'd be extremely surprised and disappointed if they didn't accept your Australian certs also.

If you get PCR tests done, I doubt very much whether you'll be asked to show them. But peace of mind when travelling is a glorious thing so if that's the price you need to pay for peace of mind, then go for it!

 

[Must...Fly!]

I flew TK from Istanbul to Geneva last month. I wouldn't be worried, they see travellers from all over the world, all day every day. I expect your Australian certificate will suffice just fine.

 

[Scarlett]

Review the countries you need on the IATA world Covid requirements map…

IATA - International Travel Document News

www.iatatravelcentre.com

 

[Quickstatus]

IATA world Covid requirements map

Can we be sure it can be relied upon?.
The whole situation is dynamic and I’m not sure if IATA can rapidly update their information.

 

[Michenny]

Another great resource App is the Re-open EU app.

 

[Scarlett]

Can we be sure it can be relied upon?.
The whole situation is dynamic and I’m not sure if IATA can rapidly update their information.

They do have a pretty healthy disclaimer on the page, but I’m sure a lawyer told them to do that.

The map seems to be updated very regularly and the fact that it appears to be using Timatic data, well that’s good enough for me! If the person checking me in and reviewing my entry requirements is looking at the same Timatic data, there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Thanks all - sounds kind of reassuring.

The main concern I have is that
- we will be checking in at an “outskirt airport” which I presume does not see a plethora of tourists. Hence, my concern about the local staff there maybe having to consult which could take time. I read stories here where Qantas staff at domestic check-ins had quite some difficulties figuring out requirements for intl travel;
- if you read the current webpage of the EC, in theory at least, the Australian Digital Intl Vaccination Certificate does not seem to be recognised (at least it does not show up on the list as far as I can see);
- France then in practice have their own rules and obviously let plenty of people with the Australian Intl Vaccination Certificate in.

So all in all, I am just worried about potential bureaucracy than anything else. We will indeed rock up at the airport pretty early!

 

[N860CR]

There’s a lot of confusion between the European vaccine pass (and I’ll add to the confusion by not knowing it’s real name) and an international vaccination certificate.

The Australian certificate isn’t formally recognised for the euro vaccine pass (which is for entry to bars, restaurants etc as needed by individual EU states) however it is internationally recognised by IATA for border crossings.

Same thing caught me out when going to Portugal (ie wasn’t sure if I should test or not) however the test ended up being a waste of time and money.

 

[AstroBBoy]

@exLXCXFF I hope your trip is going well. Let us know how the Turkey to France leg goes in regards to the Australian Vax Certificate.

We are travelling in July and my (french australian) wife contacted the French consulate a few weeks ago with no reply.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Hi everyone - just an update from first hand experience: We checked in at an outskirt airport this morning (via IST to CDG on one ticket). They wanted to see the PRINTED AUS vaccination certificate to count 3 shots, did not ask for the EU Trip Locator Form at all and no one was wearing any mask anywhere in the airport. Now waiting for boarding, hoping we don’t miss the connection at IST.

Further update: Connection made in Istanbul and successfully entered France. No one at the French border was interest in any document other than my passport.

 

[Duffa]

Just flew from Geneva to Istanbul today on TK
Nothing requested at Geneva
Nothing requested on arrival at Istanbul either.

FWIW We've been through KUL, Doha, Muscat London Dublin (Belfast by road) Dubin Bologna - Geneva (rail) and no-one has asked for any certificates other than at check in at Melbourne 3 weeks ago

 

[Duffa]

Update:
Departing Istanbul - SQ check-in wanted to see my ScoMo certficate - as did arrival customs in Singapore.
Nobody tried to scan the QR code on my printed paper form; they just scrutinised it. And fair enough.
Everyone seems to be doing their bit to get international travel back on track. Including border guards because their livelihood depends on it too!

 

[Prof Henry]

Arriving at CDG (via DXB) for an overnight transit (@airport hotel) before onward flight to Reykjavik KEF. Both fully vaxxed but each of us just over a recent dose of COVID. The French declaration form seems more interested in ‘contact’ than in personal status. Any advice?

 

[Duffa]

If it is more than 7 days since your Covid diagnosis then you are clear to answer the questions in the negative.

 

[Prof Henry]

That's what I'd been thinking, but "7 days after diagnosis" works in Australia but France has declared Australia to be in the Orange Zone [see below] and requires us to "hereby declare on my honour that I have no knowledge of having been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 during the last fourteen days prior to departure."
Symptoms they care less about – one only has to declare none of the ... symptoms in the last 48 hours.

Orange Zone: includes countries or territories experiencing active circulation of the virus, in the absence of an emerging variant of concern and showing no vaccine or immune escape.
It would appear that the French Government is more concerned about active circulation of the virus than our own governments, in whose view it has became ... "subterranean".

There are a great many countries in the Green Zone whose health systems we would usually imagine to be of a lower standard than ours.

Here's the key link to the french regs: Covid 19 : International travel.
More at: Coming to France? Your Covid-19 questions answered

 

[Duffa]

That's what I'd been thinking, but "7 days after diagnosis" works in Australia but France has declared Australia to be in the Orange Zone [see below] and requires us to "hereby declare on my honour that I have no knowledge of having been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 during the last fourteen days prior to departure."
Symptoms they care less about – one only has to declare none of the ... symptoms in the last 48 hours.

Orange Zone: includes countries or territories experiencing active circulation of the virus, in the absence of an emerging variant of concern and showing no vaccine or immune escape.
It would appear that the French Government is more concerned about active circulation of the virus than our own governments, in whose view it has became ... "subterranean".

There are a great many countries in the Green Zone whose health systems we would usually imagine to be of a lower standard than ours.

Here's the key link to the french regs: Covid 19 : International travel.
More at: Coming to France? Your Covid-19 questions answered

Oh no!!
That makes it a bit tricky.
I'm sure half of our members would just brazen it out.
The rest, like me, would freak out about the thought of some French official catching us.

 

[I love to travel]

France travel does seem problematic. Trying to work through the form required now. Any tips?

 

[Prof Henry]

After a massive reorganisation of our itineraries, we entered France by rail from uk and were required to show very little documentation at all, although the queues were interminable there as elsewhere. The suggestion from French colleagues was that AustraliA’s “special status” may have as much to do with contracts as with contacts.

 

[AstroBBoy]

I flew into France last month via Dubai. No vaccination documentation was even asked for. A quick scan of the passport and through I went.