• Following a spike in coronavirus cases, Britain added France to its “red list” of banned countries on August 15.
• Those returning to the UK from the country must self-quarantine for a fortnight, and Paris is now preparing to impose its own restrictions on those heading towards the opposition.
• Speaking on France 2 television channel, European Affairs Minister Clément Beaune said: “We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one way.”
• France today signaled its intention to impose reciprocal quarantine measures on the United Kingdom (AP)
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The French government plans to implement reciprocal quarantine restrictions on travel from the UK as ministers face pressure to minimize the 14-day self-isolation period.
Following a spike in coronavirus cases, Britain added France to its “red list” of banned countries on August 15.
Those returning to the UK from the country must self-quarantine for a fortnight, and Paris is now preparing to impose its own restrictions on those heading towards the opposition.
Speaking on France 2 television channel, European Affairs Minister Clément Beaune said: “We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one way.”
France today signaled its intention to impose reciprocal quarantine measures on the United Kingdom (AP)
“For travelers returning from the United Kingdom, restrictive measures will probably be decided in the coming days by the Prime Minister and by the Defense Council”.
His comments come after it was revealed that the quarantine period could be reduced to less than a week, amid plans to introduce on-arrival testing at UK airports.
Airlines are calling on ministers to allow people returning from countries on the government’s “red list” for coronaviruses to be tested on arrival.
Then they would be tested between three and five days later, with two negative tests giving the traveler permission to self-isolate.
Ministers are due to assess the benefits of the proposed way forward at a meeting scheduled for later this week.
Members of the public return from Paris to St Pancras International, London (Lucy Young)
Meanwhile, there are growing fears that Greece, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic are all under quarantine following an increase in cases, with Italy also recording a spike.
Due to fears that the two-week self-isolation rules will cause lasting damage to the travel and tourism industries, the government is under intense pressure to reduce these measures.
According to the Times, aviation services companies Swissport and Collinson Group have submitted plans for a dual testing system to Secretary of Health Matt Hancock.
British return from France to avoid a two-week quarantine
Other European countries, such as Germany and France, have already tested the arrival systems installed at their airports.
In a letter to the health secretary, the two companies expressed concern that the 14-day rules prevent people from working and traveling on business, while stifling inbound tourism.
Previously, ministers had expressed concerns about the prospect of replacing the general 14-day quarantine policy with a more nuanced testing system.
Some believe the testing regimen could miss those who have only been infected because of the time it takes for the coronavirus to appear.
Nonetheless, the aviation and travel industries believe the government has grossly overestimated the number of people who could be missed under such a system.
Credit to Source: fr24news
