France restricts entries from Britain as Omicron variant takes hold

France has significantly reduced entries from Britain as the new and more transmissible Omicron strain of Covid-19 continues its rapid advance.

Only those with an urgent need to do so will be able to enter or exit Britain, as of midnight on Saturday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday. He noted that this did not include travel for work or tourism.

Under the new rules, people will have to register before travelling from Britain to France, take a PCR or rapid test and go into quarantine at a place of their choice after arriving in France, whether or not they are vaccinated.

They will be able to exit from quarantine if they test negative for the virus after 48 hours.

Castex announced controls had been set up to monitor compliance with the measures.

Reconsider travel plans

Anyone considering travel to Britain was urged to rethink their plans.

However, French nationals and family members may return at any time, subject to registration, testing and quarantine rules.