December 17, 2021
2 mins read

France to ban non-essential travel to Britain

He said returning travelers would need a negative test less than 24 hours old, a blanket quarantine would be enforced on return to France, and trips for tourism limited…reports Asian Lite News.

France is to tighten restrictions on travel from Britain to slow the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 that is causing record numbers of cases on the other side of the Channel, the government said Thursday.

 “We will put in place a system of controls drastically tighter than the one we have already,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal told BFM television, saying the office of Prime Minister Jean Castex would issue a statement on the new measures in the coming hours.

He said returning travelers would need a negative test less than 24 hours old, a blanket quarantine would be enforced on return to France, and trips for tourism limited.

“We will reduce the validity of the test to come to France from 48 hours to 24 hours,” said Attal.

“We will limit the reasons for coming to France from the UK, it will be limited to French nationals and residents and their families. Tourism or business trips for people who do not have French or European nationality or are residents will be limited.”

“People (coming back) will have to register on an app and will have to self-isolate in a place of their choosing for seven days — controlled by the security forces — but this can be shortened to 48 hours if a negative test is carried out in France,” he said.

Attal said this policy was aimed at “tightening the net” to slow down the arrival of omicron cases in France and give time for the French vaccination booster campaign to make more ground.

“Our strategy is to delay as much as we can the development of omicron in our country and take advantage to push ahead with the booster drive,” he said.

Britain on Wednesday recorded a record 78,610 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, with scientists predicting even higher rates as omicron is believed to spread much faster than the currently dominant delta variant.

The tight travel restrictions are also being imposed during what analysts see as a breakdown of trust between the British and French governments in the wake of Brexit over a host of issues from migrants to fishing.

French President Emmanuel Macron last week accused Boris Johnson’s government of failing to keep its word on Brexit, saying “the problem with the British government is that it does not do what it says”.

ALSO READ-Australia signs sub deal with US, UK

Previous Story

Britain and Australia sign trade deal

Next Story

Hasina’s son nails Jamaat-e-Islami for anti-liberation activities

Latest from -Top News

Modi Eyes Trade Deals in Maldives

PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom, starting Wednesday….reports Asian Lite

Russia Strikes Back at EU

The Council of the European Union approved the 17th and 18th packages of sanctions on Russia on May 20 and July 18…reports Asian Lite News Russia has significantly expanded its entry ban

PM Modi Due in UK

PM Modi’s visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23–24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country….reports Asian Lite News Prime

Victory First, Then Peace?

Katz stressed the importance of meeting the war’s goals as set, primarily the return of all Israeli hostages and the surrender of Hamas….reports Asian Lite News Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said

US Brings Up Old Claim, India Pushes Back

US Raises Trump’s India-Pakistan Claim at UN; India Reaffirms Bilateral Stand…reports Asian Lite News The US brought President Trump’s May claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict to the Security Council, but New
Go toTop

Don't Miss

France eases UK border restrictions for vaccinated travellers

Eurostar had recently cut the number of trains connecting Paris

France National Day celebrated at Expo 2020

France National Day was celebrated in the presence of Le