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FRANCE will restrict arrivals from Britain because of fast-spreading cases of the omicron coronavirus variant, limiting reasons for travelling and requiring 48-hour isolation upon arrival, the government said on Thursday.
The new measures will take effect just after midnight on Saturday, “in the face of the extremely rapid spread of the omicron variant in the UK,” French Prime Minister Jean Castex said in a statement.
The French government is holding a special virus security meeting on Friday that will address growing pressure on hospitals in France from rising infections in recent weeks.
Delta remains the dominant variant in France, but omicron is spreading so fast in Britain that it’s raising concerns across the Channel.
French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on BFM television that tourism or business trips from Britain to France “will be limited,” though French citizens will still be able to make the journey.
All those arriving from Britain will need to have a negative virus test less than 24 hours old, test again upon arrival and isolate “in a place they choose” for at least 48 hours pending the result, Mr Attal said.
The measures will apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
Citizens of any EU country can still enter France from Britain under the new measures, as can anyone with a long-term EU residency permit or long-term visa, as well as some other categories of people including lorry drivers transiting through France, diplomats and healthcare workers.
People will be allowed to leave France for Britain only if they aren’t French, or if they have an urgent health or legal reason to travel.
The abrupt decision comes after weeks of political tensions between France and Britain over post-Brexit fishing rights and how to deal with migration in dangerous small boats across the English Channel.
It also comes as France’s government is desperately trying to avoid a new lockdown or stricter measures that would hurt the economy and cloud President Emmanuel Macron’s expected campaign for the April presidential election.
