France may be next on the UK travel ban list after 1,695 new cases and face masks are enforced – latest advice
FRANCE may be the next country to be removed from the UK’s safe list after coronavirus infections continue to rise. The country reported 1,695 new cases yesterday, the highest increase since May 30, and has the highest death toll in Europe being the UK and Italy. Brits can currently travel to and from France without […]
FRANCE may be the next country to be removed from the UK’s safe list after coronavirus infections continue to rise.
The country reported 1,695 new cases yesterday, the highest increase since May 30, and has the highest death toll in Europe being the UK and Italy.
Brits can currently travel to and from France without quarantining on arrival or return, and there are no bans in place.
There are also no entry restrictions regarding coronavirus tests or entry forms needed to be filled out.
However, the country’s jump in new cases has prompted concern that France could follow in the footsteps of Spain.
Spain was put back onto the UK’s travel ban list on July 26, followed by the Balearic and Canary Islands on July 27, with holidaymakers given just four hours notice.
Hundreds of Brits were left facing a mandatory two-week quarantine when returning home after the travel ban.
With Belgium expected to be next on the travel ban list, with 14-day quarantines also, France may soon follow suit.
France’s health ministry said: “The situation is precarious.
“We could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control, like in Spain.”
France is now enforcing new restrictions and facing a second lockdown.
Face masks have been enforced on busy streets in Lille, Nice and Toulouse, with Paris looking at similar measures being imminently introduced.
What is the current travel advice for France?
The latest advice from the Foreign Office regarding holidays to France explains: “From 4 July, France is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.
“There is no quarantine requirement for arrivals from the UK.
“Travellers arriving in France from the UK, […] are no longer required to self-isolate, to demonstrate their travel is essential or to hold an international travel certificate.”
This could change at the last minute, however.
Flights are still running to France from the UK with Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways.
The Eurostar has resumed services from the UK to France, and Disneyland Paris reopened to guests last month.
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Other European countries are also seeing an increase in cases, prompting fears of a second wave.
Greece’s active cases have been rising since May 1, with 121 new cases confirmed this week.
Cyprus is increasing airport arrival tests and enforcing face masks after they also reported a spike in cases, continuing to rise since July 2.