MINISTER FOR EUROPE & FOREIGN AFFAIRS JB LEMOYNE REASSURES FRENCH WHO ARE ABROAD

USPA NEWS - The President of the Republic spoke to the French on March16, ee said that the borders at the entrance to the European Union and the Schengen area will be closed from Tuesday March 17 at noon for 30 days. Concretely, all trips between non-European countries and the European Union will be suspended for 30 days. The French who are currently abroad and wish to return will of course be able to join our country. We will organize, for those who wish and where necessary, their repatriation.The French President Macron, recalled that the only way to slow and slow the rapid progression of the epidemic, In France, in Europe, and in the world, was to limit our travels to everyone as much as possible. I wish, within the framework set by the President of the Republic, to bring you the following important details, in order to manage in order and calm, the exceptional situation in which we all find ourselves. Source : Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Europe

THE MEASURE TO CLOSE THE EXTERNAL BORDERS CONCERNES ALL COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN AREA----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The measure to close the external borders concerns all countries outside the European Union, the Schengen area and the United Kingdom. Given the dynamics of the epidemic, French people who have their usual place of residence outside the European area and who can do so are invited, for health reasons, to avoid international travel as much as possible and to limit their movements within 30 days to come. I invite those who deem it necessary in light of their health conditions to make themselves known to our embassies and consulates. With regard to French people currently on temporary trips abroad, since more and more countries are taking measures, often with very short notice, to interrupt air links to France, we advise them again, when they can, take the necessary measures for their rapid return to France as long as the commercial lines remain open. I have asked our embassies and consulates to arrange a telephone response to answer your questions. I ask all transport companies, especially airlines, to maintain the necessary connections. I have already obtained from several of my counterparts the extension of authorizations for this purpose." The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is fully mobilized to implement the President´s announcements.