Strasbourg, 12 October 2021

INFORMATION NOTE ON THE SANITARY MEASURES CONCERNING THE 41st CONGRESS SESSION, 26-28 OCTOBER 2021

1. Entry into France

The arrangements validated by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs for members of national delegations travelling to Strasbourg for the 41st Session of the Congress are set out in the Note Verbale communicated to the Permanent Representations of Council of Europe member countries by the Council of Europe Protocol on 7 October 2021.

We would particularly like to draw your attention to the table below which gives you an overview of the system in place.

ENTRY CONDITIONS FOR THE 41^ST SESSION FOR THE CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

Zone[1]	Vaccination status	Procedures to enter France
Green	Fully vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements[2]	No travel restrictions members of delegations should travel with: - certificate of vaccination - the health declaration ("statement of honour")
	Unvaccinated or not vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements	No travel restrictions members of delegations should travel with: - PCR/antigen test - the health declaration ("statement of honour")
Orange and red	Fully vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements2	No travel restrictions Members of delegations should travel with: - certificate of vaccination - the health declaration ("statement of honour")
	Unvaccinated or not vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements	Travel is conditional upon the signing of a statement (overleaf), confirming that the member will respect a "public health bubble" during his/her stay. Members of delegations should travel with: - PCR/antigen test - travel certificate - health declaration ("statement of honour").

As of 12.10.2021 the member States of the Council of Europe are distributed by the French authorities according to the following zones:

Green zone: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Orange zone: Albania, Amenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, United Kingdom, Ukraine

Red zone: Georgia, Russian Federation, Turkey.

Details of requirements in terms of vaccination certificates or PCR/antigen tests according to zone and links to the travel certificates and health declarations (statement of honour) are available under the relevant sections on the site of the French Ministry of the Interior: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel.

You will also find the health declarations (sworn undertaking) requested in the table above in the Congress Cloud.

We draw your attention to the imperative need for nationals of the orange and red zones, unvaccinated or not vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements, to return this statement duly completed and signed with a copy of the passport and the detailed travel itinerary, including airport of arrival and/or place of entry into France before 15/10/2021 at 17.00 (French time) by email to: [email protected].

For nationals of the orange and red zones who are fully vaccinated in accordance with the French authorities’ requirements, the French Authorities have set up a system for the conversion of vaccination certificates issued in certain States into French health passes[i], in order to facilitate entry and stay in France.

2. Entry to the Headquarters of the Council of Europe

To enter the Palais de l'Europe you must fill in and print out the Council of Europe COVID self-declaration.

You will be asked to present this declaration upon entry to the Council of Europe premises and you will be given a special badge allowing you to move around.

3. PCR or antigen tests

A testing facility will be available at the Council of Europe premises, Palais de l’Europe forecourt, Tuesday 25 October to Thursday 28 October, 9.00 to 17.00.  The Congress will cover the cost of a test (antigen or PCR) for each member of a national Congress delegation on departure, provided that they certify that this test is required by health regulations for return to their country.

Members who require PCR or antigen testing will need to complete, print and sign the COVID-19 information sheet and present it at the testing facility.

Surgical masks will be available in the different meeting rooms.