Information coronavirus

The Coronavirus COVID-19 (ex 2019-nCoV) epidemic is active in Europe and throughout the world. You will find measures decided by the French Government, updated information on higher education institutions and student life, the latest news on Campus France activities and recommendations for your health.

Update - May 12th, 2020

Since May 11, France started a gradual lockdown exit.

To find information and guidance from the French Government regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease COVID-19: https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19

Contacts and travel

Travels

Travel restrictions in force since March 17 are modified. 

A statement is necessary for any travel beyond 100 km from your residence and outside the department.

Printed official templates are the only ones valid (new template available since May 11, 2020).

The statement is also available here in digital format.

In Île-de-France region, in order to minimise affluence in rush hours, access to public transports is exclusively for employees who cannot work from home or for emergency reasons. Travelers must have a travel statement.

Wearing a mask is compulsory in public transports, trains, taxis, vehicles for hire, planes and during carpooling. 

Access restrictions to Mainland France and to French Overseas territories are also in effect. Every traveler is requested, from 8 April 2020, 12 AM, to fill out and carry one of the following travel certificates according to his situation :

• for a trip from mainland France to French overseas territories
• for an international travel from abroad to mainland France
• for an international travel from abroad to French overseas territories

The document is to be presented to transportation companies before boarding, as well as to border control authorities.

Any violation of these rules will be penalised.

Higher education institutions

•  All French higher education institutions are closed from March 16 2020 onwards, following the decision of the French president until further order;
  
  
• During this period, learning continues in formats adapted to this exceptional situation;
  
  
• It is highly recommended to stay in touch with your training institution and stay updated about information published by emails, on the institutions’ websites and official social media;
  
  
• Tests and exams with national scope in higher education are postponed until further notice, and won’t be held until late May;
  
  
• Written exams of entrance exams supposedly taken after passing a baccalauréat, which allow access to selective trainings in the first cycle of higher education will be replaced by a review of the applicants’ academic file as part of the Parcoursup process;
  
  
• Written exams in relation with other national entrance exams are postponed, and will be reorganised (access exam for Grandes Ecoles, for the second year of health studies at a university, etc.).

Student life 

• The CROUS residences remain open. From April 1, all students who have left their room, even temporarily, will no longer pay. To benefit from this rent interruption, please inform as soon as possible your Crous of your departure at the email address of your residence.
  
  

• Please note that food service in Resto’U is no longer available;
   
• Food aid and support to buy first necessity goods are implemented in CROUSes for locked-down residents;
  
  
• Financial support is available in the CROUS social services for all students who need it;
  
  
• Prime Minister Philippe announced on May 4th a new one-off aid of €200 available for payment for students in precarious situation.

To find information on studies in French higher education institutions and student services, please consult this Q&A on etudiant.gouv.fr

Visas and residency permits

• Residency permits (Titres de séjour) that expire between 16 March and 15 May are extended by 6 months. This extension is automatic.
  
  
• Short-stay visas which are going to expire can be extended for people who cannot return to their country of origin. For more information, contact the Préfecture.
  
  
• It has also been decided to suspend the issuance of visas until further notice

Campus France agency activities

 
Campus France offices are closed and all the employees are working from home.  Should you have any query,  please  send an  email to your usual contact person. If you do not have a contact person, and only in this case, please send an e-mail to : [email protected].

All the scholarship holders managed by Campus France have received an information note on this exceptional situation. The Campus France team remains at your disposal should you need more information. We  advise shcholarship holders to favour e-mail communication.

Health recommendations

Simple measures against coronavirus will help preserve your health and the health of those around you:

• Stay at home
• Wash your hands very often;
• Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or with a tissue when you cough or sneeze;
• Use single-use tissues, and then throw them away;
• Do not shake hands or greet people with kisses on the cheek;

Hotlines

• 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).
• Please note that the toll-free hotline service cannot give medical advice.

If you have symptoms that may be due to COVID-19

Stay at home, avoid contact with others, call a doctor before you go to see them or call the area health assistance number., If the symptoms get worse, with breathing difficulties or signs of suffocation, dial 15 or call or send a text to 114 if you have a speech or hearing impairment.

Please note that the concerned regions can evolve and that we are monitoring the situation very closely. Visit the French Government website for up-to-date information.