From Friday morning, anyone traveling from the United Kingdom to France will no longer be required to self-isolate or produce proof that their journey is necessary, according to Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.
However, the necessity for a negative COVID test 24 hours before to their visit remains in effect.
Those who test negative will also need to be properly immunized.
The decision is a significant boon for cross-Channel transport companies and winter sports travel companies, especially since it comes before of the crucial February half-term time.
Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu called the statement a “great relief” and expressed hope that “we have seen the last border closure of the COVID crisis” had occurred.
“We’ve all suffered enormously over the last two years. ” he remarked. Healthcare workers are weary, and travel-related firms have battled to stay afloat.
“Thousands of Brittany Ferries passengers have been disrupted and millions of pounds in income has been lost as a consequence of draconian measures like border closures.”
“France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Britons, and traditionally January is a critical month for travel operators as people start to book summer holidays,” said Abby Penlington, director of industry association Discover Ferries.
“While the ferry industry has continued to operate essential services across the Channel while the border remained closed, we’re confident that its reopening will provide a much-needed uplift in bookings.”
The travel restrictions are being loosened while the number of COVID cases in France continues to rise, with 361,719 new infections, 246 new fatalities, and 16 new ICU admissions recorded on Wednesday.
In an effort to curb the spread of the Omicron form, France imposed a restriction on non-essential travel to and from the UK on December 18 of last year.
People from the United Kingdom had to have “compelling reasons” to enter the nation, which did not include tourism or business.
Those authorized to enter France from the United Kingdom had to take a negative test within 24 hours of leaving. Before taking another test, they had to isolate for 48 hours after arriving.
Those who have been completely vaccinated do not need to do a test before coming in the UK, and they can undergo a lateral flow test instead of a PCR after they arrive.