If you decide to leave France for work or vacation, know that some countries in Europe or the world require a fortnight on arrival in the territory. Discover some keys to live well this period of isolation.

Neologism derived from the term quarantine, it is a forced isolation of 14 days to be carried out at home or in an establishment designated by the authorities of the country where this measure is in force. Set up during the coronavirus epidemic, the fortnight is required in certain countries of Europe or the world for travelers arriving in the territory. You may also be subject to a fortnight when returning to France, depending on the health situation of the country where you were on vacation or for work. In addition to a fortnight, a screening PCR test may also be requested.

The fortnight in France

You can find out about the restrictions and the health situation in mainland France and overseas, by going to the Government’s website.

The fortnight within the European Union

To find out about travel conditions in European Union countries, head to the website set up by the European Commission, Re-open EU.

Limit contact with other members of the household as much as possible to limit the possible risk of transmission of the virus. Ask your loved ones to drop you off for groceries in front of your home in anticipation of the fortnight or have them delivered to your landing to limit contact.

If you have no signs of illness after the isolation period, you can resume your normal life. If in doubt, do a PCR test before you break your fortnight.

If you tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of isolation, you will need to be tested again before you can be released again.

There are no rules to follow, everyone is free to ritualize their day as they see fit:

• get ready each morning;
• phone their loved ones;
• cook at every meal;
• read several chapters of a book;
• work ;
• discover new series and / or films;
• listen to podcasts;
• to design ;
• play sports ;
• learn a new sport or artistic discipline.

A confinement plunges certain individuals into a chronological fog where the notion of time is absent. A perception likely to have a deleterious impact on physical and mental form. Maintaining a daily routine and setting short, short-term goals helps structure and keep track of the passage of time.

Celebrating small victories – for example the past first week of the fortnight – will also help keep morale up during this time which can be difficult for some, especially if you are spending your fortnight alone.

According to a study conducted by Ifop for l’Astrée – an association that fights against loneliness and isolation – on the intensification of relational isolation in 2020, 48% of French people surveyed believe that having people around them miss them and 43% indicated having consumed psychotropic drugs to alleviate this feeling of emptiness. Disturbing figures that prove the importance of maintaining a link with those around you, even over a relatively short period of 14 days.

Physical isolation is not necessarily synonymous with loss of social life. Today, many tools make it possible to maintain the link with those close to them and with the outside world. Making phone appointments or online aperitifs will also help you establish new rituals.

Even though it only lasts two weeks, the forced fortnight is not a pleasant situation so remember to do yourself some good. Isolation can be experienced as the perfect time to reinvent yourself and take time for yourself.

It is not necessary to make this parenthesis profitable at all costs by imposing on you a sustained reading schedule, learning a new language or a sporting discipline. Prioritize the activities that make you happy and focus on the dishes you love, especially if you are sick.