By Tony O’Riley-
France is tightening Covid restrictions for travellers arriving from the UK, as the government in Paris tries to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
The French prime minister’s office said that as from Saturday all non-residents would have to give a compelling reason for travelling to France.
All arrivals will be required to provide a negative Covid test less than 24 hours old and isolate for at least two days.
The tighter measures follow confirmed Omicron cases are currently much higher in the UK than in France.
The UK recorded 78,610 new Covid cases on Wednesday – the highest daily number reported since the start of the pandemic.
Slightly more than 10,000 have been confirmed as Omicron, but it is thought that about twice that number are cases of the new variant.
France reported 65,713 new Covid cases over a similar period but has only 240 confirmed cases of Omicron.
A statement from French Prime Minister Jean Castex’s office (in French), said the UK was, in its own words, about to face a “landslide” linked to Omicron in the coming days.
“As the Omicron variant spreads extremely quickly in the United Kingdom, the French government has decided to re-implement compelling reasons for travels from and to the United Kingdom, and to reinforce mandatory tests at departures and arrivals,” it said.
However, UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps confirmed lorry drivers would be exempt from the new restrictions, following fears over the impact on supply chains.
Travellers allowed in France will be expected to self-isolate for a week, unless they have a second negative test, in which case they can end their quarantine after 48 hours.
These restrictions had previously only applied to arrivals who are not fully vaccinated.
Non-residents will need compelling reasons for entry – not tourism, family visits or non-urgent work.