This Tuesday, January 19, 2021, information made the headlines of news websites: fines could be imposed on people refusing to take a PCR test when they leave the red zone. A Belgian project, which could make its way in France.
“Anyone returning to Belgium today has no choice but to complete the PLF, the passenger tracking form. On the basis of this form, each traveler receives a code which entitles them to two tests. Our systems know who is not using these codes ". This is what the Belgian Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne reminded us of in the columns of The Echo. He asks that travelers who return from a red zone on Belgian territory, but do not take a PCR test, be penalized with a fine of 250 euros. The PLF travel form that they fill out each time they leave the country could therefore be used to control non-compliance with health instructions.
A fine also in France?
If the project is under discussion within the Belgian government, the Flemish Minister-President would be in favor of this sanction. Vincent Van Quickenborne said: "We discussed this within the kern (the Belgian ministerial council, editor's note) this Monday morning. As the federated entities are responsible for this issue, Prime Minister De Croo asked that they work on it as soon as possible. "
On the French side and since Monday, January 18, 2021, travelers authorized to enter French territory and who arrive from countries outside the European Union must present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours , before leaving to be able to board a plane or a boat. Travelers must also commit to the honor of self-isolation for seven days once they arrive in France, and then to repeat a second PCR test at the end of this period. For the time being, no fine has been mentioned by the government of Emmanuel Macron concerning people refusing to take a PCR test before their embarkation to France. It remains to be defined whether the evolution of the pandemic and the appearance of highly contagious international variants will also lead to reflection in France.