bons

Thanks for that, I've got the thread in my bookmarks. I have been trying to keep up with the news in France and I know that French residents have to prove where they are going and why, are they checking tourists at the moment? I'll keep checking that thread!!!!!

flatlndr

Yes, I've done that.

dmu

Strictly speaking, there aren't any tourists, since travelling for pleasure isn't included in the Attestation! Not to mention that no restaurants/cafés/bars will be open in December and the hotels which have remained open (for businessmen, for example) offer room-service only for breakfast. French families hoping to be able to meet up at Christmas (yours truly included), will know more tomorrow evening....

bons

By tourists, I meant people just driving through the country. If we drive we will be in our campervan so we'll be able to eat, sleep and make drinks in our own little bubble. Just a few stops for diesel.

Bomber Harris

Transit is allowed in the following cases:

1. EU/EEA nationals, as well as their spouse and children, joining their home country via France;

2. third country nationals holding a valid European residence permit or a long-term residence visa transiting via France to their home in an EU/EEA country;

3. international transits of less than 24h, provided that travellers don't leave the airport.

Travellers in transit are exempt from voluntary quarantine unless they show symptoms.

https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/FRA/7004

bons

Thanks for that. Still on for both flights at the moment.

bons

Lockdown to definitely end on the 2nd December, however, the tier system is coming back into play, our infections were rising and I am close to what was the highest infection rate in England last week, so I suppose we could be in tier 3. It was suggesed that quarantine would be addressed, I thought that meant for flights, but they only mentioned if you had to isolate after coming into contact with a Covid sufferer on track and trace. You can get a test every day if tack and trace contact you and only need to isolate if you test positive.

dmu

As said, at the time of writing, only people returning to their principal place of residence (either returning from the Continent to the UK, or from the UK (or elsewhere) to their "home" in France/Spain/Portugal/Italy....) are allowed to do so. You'd need to prove this. Are you already officially "resident" in Portugal?
At present, people living in France must wait for the luxury of "freedom of movement"....
https://www.bison-fute.gouv.fr/ouver...res,11195.html
gives useful info, but I'm wondering whether private individuals with a campervan can sleep in the secure areas dedicated to long-distance lorry drivers. It's prohibited to park overnight elsewhere at the best of times.
https://www.autoroutes.fr/fr/parking...ids-lourds.htm
If you're seriously thinking of driving down, post on the France forum concerning sleeping on the autoroutes. I've never needed to do so and my info might be out-of-date, but some one been there, done that, may correct me on that front.
HTH

bons

Thanks for your help. We've been driving through France for over a decade and you can sleep out for at least one night whereever you want, it may be different now. The motorway aires are good paces to stop en route. We're only going to consider driving if the flights are cancelled, I don't want to fly or drive right now, but we have to present in person to gain residency in Portugal.

bons

They've announced the shorter quarantine period after travelling but it entails forking out another £100 each to reduce the quarantine time by 9 days.

Are Covid cases reducimg at all in Lisbon and the areas with higher rates of infection? That would be the best thing, no quarantine at all. Is news of the vaccines going down well in Portugal?

dmu

At the time of writing, you haven't got the right to drive through France. We'll know tonight whether this will be possible in December. As said somewhere else, the end-of-lockdown dates aren't fixed, the Covid-figures can go up at any time, which is why the gradual deconfinement in France is expected to start this coming weekend, with the non-essential shops reopening and possibly the "1 hour/1 km radius from home" physical activity condition extended in time and distance. The travel restrictions aren't likely to be lifted as from 1st December, but I may prove wrong this evening

Rambling archer

For how things are going in Portugal you really need to be following on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scalgarve/ - Safe Communities Portugal - although it is marked up as "algarve" it actually covers the whole country with the intention of keeping folk (particularly English-speaking expats) safe - Covid-19, Fire alerts, Weather warnings! at the moment very concentrated on the Covid-state-of-affairs. Lisbon infection rate is currently improving a little but still fairly dire compared to a couple of months ago, by far worst at present is Northern Portugal, Algarve keeping it down fairly well and Alentejo OK apart from a few local flare-ups. Unfortunately Central Portugal as we think of it is split either side of the Tejo valley (west with the Lisbon figures, east with the Alentejo), middle up to Viseu, north of Coimbra got local infections, Then north of that area comes under Northern Portugal. If you avoid crowds and dinner parties, keep your mask on anywhere where you might be in close contact with others even outdoors, obligatory in shops and offices, wash face and hands and masks (if re-useable) often etc, you will be OK. Ask for space if there is a queue anywhere, eg Security at the Airport - spread your bags around you! Hotels have a charter for enhanced cleaning and good practices ...
You should be OK as long as your flights run as planned! Good luck!

Rambling archer

I think the whole world is happy that the vaccines may be coming on stream soon! Portugal has already contracted to get batches of those currently seeking approval within the EU. So health workers, Care-home providers and residents, essential workers, over 65s and immune-challenged-chronically sick, then the rest of the population - that is the planned order at present.

bons

Thanks for that information. We've become very adept at keeping ourselves to ourselves, with the odd visit to the supermarket. Running on the beach and a bit of drving around just sightseeing will be good. If we can get a coffee outside in relative isolation that will be a bonus. We are only coming for one reason!!! There's no chance of the quarantine being lifted this end then? We will have to quarantine until December 31st.

bons

I've searched the esyjet pages and I can't find out where I have to have a landing form. I haven't checked in yet so maybe it will be there. I am so not used to this flying lark, as I said, we always drive!