France may open up to vaccinated Americans this summer

Vive la France!

Vaccinated Americans emerging from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and feeling a strong urge to travel, may soon be able to set their sights on the Eiffel Tower.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview Sunday that officials have been firming up plans to grant entry to fully jabbed Americans — of whom there are now some 85.36 million, or 26% of the population — as part of a broader tourism reopening.

“We will progressively lift the restrictions in the beginning of May, which means that we will organize in the summer time with our professionals in France for French European citizens, but as well for American citizens,” he said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “So we are working hard to propose a very concrete solution, especially for US citizens who are vaccinated, so with a special pass, I would say.” 

That means lifting restrictions with a program similar to a vaccine passport.

“The idea indeed is altogether to offer that to the American citizen, when they decide to vaccinate or with a PCR test being negative,” Macron said. “So the idea is indeed to always control the virus, to maximize the vaccination and to progressively lift the restrictions.”

This news comes as France is under its third national lockdown that has reportedly shut down schools and non-essential businesses, set a 7 p.m. curfew and banned gatherings through the end of April. Compared to the US numbers, far fewer people in France have received the vaccine.

As of April 19, 4.5 million French nationals, some 7% of the population, have been fully inoculated. What’s more: France has also seen more COVID-19 infections than any other nation in the European Union, with the latest numbers showing about 5.3 million cases and roughly 101,000 deaths.

Americans have been prohibited from entering the EU since March 2020.

However, Condé Nast Traveler notes that Europe’s hiccup-filled vaccine rollout could mean more waves into the summer, as well as further restrictions and available activities for American fun-seekers could also be limited.