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POLITICS – “Their separation has lasted too long.” Questioned by politicians and the European Commission about the situation of binational couples, separated since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, France will launch a “derogatory procedure” to allow them to meet again, announced Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. to Sunday newspaper this August 8.
With the closing of borders within the Schengen area and beyond, many cohabiting partners who do not live in the same territory have been forced to live a long-distance relationship. The reopening of European borders has allowed some couples to meet again, but others, half of whom may be in a country called “at risk” like the United States, have so far been deprived of this joy.
“Starting this week”, those interested may, however, try to obtain a “pass” to go to France, said Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, after discussions with the group “Love is not tourism” that spoke to couples separated.
France is establishing a specific system for life partners separated by border closures. Starting this week, a laissez-passer application can be made at the nearest consulate. This virus does not like love, we do! #LoveIsNotTourismhttps://t.co/MMIvzseBXa
– Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (@JBLemoyne) August 8, 2020
“The spouses must present themselves at the consulate with documents proving joint activities, their identity documents, proof of residence in France for the French spouse, a round trip transport ticket … These exemptions, which will be validated by the La Interministerial Crisis Commission, will lead to the issuance of a laissez-passer when necessary, “explained the Secretary of State for Tourism and French residents abroad.
This procedure is similar to the one already implemented in some European countries. However, in response to Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne’s tweet, many people expressed fear at the administrative delays that will result from this new approach, in already crowded consulates.
I wish I could have celebrated, however this announcement scares me a lot. Keep in mind that precisely because of COVID, the consulates are already overwhelmed, it is IMPOSSIBLE to contact them. A measure that requires this process makes things worse M.!#LoveIsNotTourism
– Kayla (@thekeyar) August 8, 2020
Indeed, having started this process almost 2 weeks ago, I confirm that monitoring the status of the application is not easy (there is no estimated response date). But we still hope to have positive feedback from CIC #LoveIsNotTourism
– davidgach 🇫🇷🇲🇲 (@Davidgach) August 8, 2020
It’s good that you like love but you also like complication … Have you planned reinforcements at the consulate level that are already in the red saturation zone? The CIC requests a 2 week period for a pass. We had proposed a simple solution …
– Nicolas PERRET (@ SurFuFu1) August 8, 2020
See also in The HuffPost: During the coronavirus, the impossible reunion of binational couples
