People queue at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination centre in London, Britain, December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
France will impose tougher rules on travel from the U.K. as it tries to slow the spread of the omicron variant and allow more time for French people to get Covid vaccine boosters, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Thursday.
"We are going to put in place more drastic controls at the border with the U.K.,” Gabriel said in an interview with BFM television.
The plan comes after the U.K. on Wednesday reported a record number of new coronavirus cases.
The validity of covid tests will be reduced to 24 hours from 48 hours for people coming to France, Attal said. Justifications for travel to France will be limited. Tourist and business travel for non-French and non-EU citizens not resident in France will be restricted.
People arriving in France from the U.K. will also have to self-isolate for seven days. This can be lifted after 48 hours on proof of a negative test.
The government is due to give more details of the measures in the coming hours, Attal added.
