This decision is a significant boon for cross-Channel transportation companies and winter sports travel companies, since the French government had put a ban on British visitors in December last year in order to restrict the spread of the Omicron virus subtype in the country.
People traveling from the United Kingdom to France will no longer be required to self-isolate upon arrival or produce evidence that their journey is really necessary as of Friday morning, according to Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.
The criterion for a negative COVID test, which must be performed 24 hours before their visit, remains in effect.
Those who give a negative result will also be required to get a complete vaccination series.
Cross-Channel transport providers and winter sports travel companies would benefit greatly from the decision, which comes ahead of the crucial February half-term period.
Christophe Mathieu, the chief executive of Brittany Ferries, praised the decision as a “huge relief” and expressed optimism that “we have witnessed the last border closure of the COVID problem.”
“Over the previous two years, we’ve all suffered tremendously,” he said emphatically.
“Healthcare professionals are fatigued, and firms in the tourism industry have battled to stay afloat in the current economic climate.
“Thousands of passengers on Brittany Ferries have been inconvenienced, and millions of pounds in revenue has been lost as a result of harsh actions like as border closures,” says the company.
Abby Penlington, director of the industry organization Discover Ferries, shared her thoughts on the subject: “Traditionally, January has been a crucial month for travel operators as people begin to book summer vacations in France, which is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Britons.
“While the ferry sector has continued to offer critical services across the Channel while the border has been closed, we are sure that the reopening of the border will result in a much-needed increase in bookings,” said the company.
Despite the fact that COVID cases continue to rise in France – where 361,719 new infections were recorded on Wednesday as well as 246 new fatalities and 16 new hospitalizations to critical care units – the travel restrictions are being removed.
People entering the country from the United Kingdom were required to have “compelling reasons” for doing so – and those reasons did not include tourism or business.
Those who were permitted to enter France from the United Kingdom were had to submit to a negative test within 24 hours of their departure.
In addition, they were required to isolate for 48 hours after their arrival before completing another test.
Those who are completely vaccinated no longer need a test before coming in the United Kingdom, and they may undergo a lateral flow test – rather than a PCR – after arriving in the country.
