December 17

The government of France says it will rigorously limit entries from Britain, where the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly.

The government said on Thursday it will ban business and tourism travel from Britain. But it will allow entry for some people, including French nationals and other EU citizens returning home through France.

The new rules will require that any arrivals from Britain submit a negative test conducted less than 24 hours before departure, regardless of vaccination status.

They will also have to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival in France, although the period will be cut to 48 hours if they test negative after arriving in the country.

Truck drivers will be exempt from these requirements to avoid disruptions to supply chains.

Trucks formed long lines on the British side of the Dover Strait in December last year, when France restricted entry due to the spread of another coronavirus variant.

NHK