As COVID-19 cases continue to soar in the United Kingdom, France has made the decision to tighten its COVID restrictions for travellers arriving from the UK.
This comes as an attempt by the French government to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, with travellers who are not French residents or citizens needing to ensure that they have a “compelling reason” to enter the country, reports BBC. The travel restrictions will take effect on Saturday.
According to a statement released by the French government, it is now a ” requirement to have an essential reason to travel to, or come from, the UK, both for the unvaccinated and vaccinated… People cannot travel for touristic or professional reasons.”
On Wednesday, December 15, the UK recorded 78 610 new infections – the highest number of daily cases the UK has recorded since the start of the pandemic, with fears that a “tidal wave” of Omicron cases were still on its way, reports Business Insider.
While British lorry drivers and students will still be able to travel, anyone visiting friends or family in France will not be able to do so. Along with this, all arrivals will need to provide a negative COVID test less than 24 hours old and go into quarantine for at least two days.
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