France to ban UK holidaymakers over Omicron fears
Will PayneFrance is poised to ban UK holidaymakers from entering the country from Saturday (18 December) amid concerns over rising cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Only French citizens returning from the UK, or British people living in France, will be allowed entry. According to the BBC, all other travellers will have to provide a "compelling reason" to be permitted entry.
People arriving from the UK will also have to isolate at a location of their choosing, which will end after 48 hours if they show a negative test.
On Thursday (16 December), French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said the prime minister’s office would make announcements regarding travellers from the UK "in the next few hours".
He said travellers from the UK would have to show evidence of having tested negative for Covid-19 up to 24 hours prior to travel, down from 48 hours.
The move will greatly disrupt ski operations to France, with the season just getting under way.
In a tweet, Seasonal Businesses in Travel – a coalition of around 200 outbound tourism businesses – described the announcement as "another hammer blow" for the industry.
"[The] news coming from France around further travel restrictions for UK-France is devastating for the UK ski industry," said the group.
"After 21 months of being closed due to the Covid pandemic, this is yet another hammer blow to the industry. The UK government needs to introduce support measures immediately."
Inghams tweeted: "Until we have further news on the speculation of french quarantine, please do not contact us.
"We don’t know any more than you at this stage. We will update you as we have more information."
Advantage Travel Partnership chief Julia Lo Bue-Said described the move as "truly devastating for the travel industry, travellers, skiers and friends and family looking to reunite at this time of year".
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